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As 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. Having spent 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing various coalitions of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as weary delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Officials from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a plan that was gathering growing support and made it apparent they were willing to dig in.

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

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the official document, countries will begin work a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the renewable industry

Varied responses

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the correct path, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the focus at these negotiations," comments one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

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

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," observed one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between where we are and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will fall far short.