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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained confined in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as sweaty delegates acknowledged the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly 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 previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was gathering increasing support and made it apparent they were ready to hold firm.

Emerging economies urgently needed to make progress on securing funding support to help them address the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The critical development occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead 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

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the renewable industry

Varied responses

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the proper course, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the focus at these negotiations," notes one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The political space is open. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a era of geopolitical divides, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has provided all that is needed. The gap between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.