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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as sweaty delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

However, during over three decades of annual 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 "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a initiative that was attracting expanding support and made it clear they were prepared to dig in.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to advance on securing economic resources to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

The room expressed relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was done.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the focus at these negotiations," says one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," commented one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.