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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the poorest nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the grim reality: there would not be 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 well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, 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 previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a expanding group of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a initiative that was gathering increasing support and made it apparent they were prepared to dig in.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

Delegates collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient 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

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will commence creating a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

With global conditions hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the proper course, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the crosshairs at Cop30," comments one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are agreement-dependent, and in a period of global disagreements, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avoid the worst ravages of climate crisis, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.