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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a plan that was earning increasing support and made it evident they were prepared to dig in.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to make progress on securing economic resources to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "We were close for us," stated one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the right direction, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the spotlight at Cop30," says one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is open. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a time of global disagreements, agreement is ever harder to reach," stated one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The difference between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.