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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a enclosed 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 from the poorest nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as weary delegates faced up to the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop 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". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a initiative that was gathering increasing support and made it apparent they were ready to dig in.

Emerging economies strongly sought to make progress on securing economic resources to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the renewable industry

Varied responses

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the right direction, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the crosshairs at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.