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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a initiative that was earning growing support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to advance on securing funding support to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

Delegates collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the crosshairs at these negotiations," says one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is available. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a time of global disagreements, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," stated one global leader. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.