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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest 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 latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a resolution made two years ago at Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition 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 clear they were prepared to stand their ground.

Developing countries strongly sought to make progress on securing economic resources to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to leave and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

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

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably accepted the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below 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 environmental crises
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

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

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a era of geopolitical divides, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one global leader. "We should not suggest that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

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