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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as weary delegates faced up to the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a initiative that was gathering increasing support and made it clear they were ready to hold firm.

Developing countries strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly 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 a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a hesitant, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions 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 yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the clean economy

Differing opinions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "giant leap" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the correct path, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the focus at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a time of global disagreements, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.