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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as weary delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were adamant this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was crucially important. They had created a proposal that was earning increasing support and made it apparent they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them manage the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the clean economy

Mixed reactions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the proper course, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, persistent fighting in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will prove insufficient.