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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as weary delegates confronted the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away 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 equally determined that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a plan that was earning increasing support and made it apparent they were ready to stand their ground.

Developing countries strongly sought to make progress on securing funding support to help them address the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The settlement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the correct path, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, continuing wars in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the spotlight at these negotiations," notes one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are agreement-dependent, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is ever harder to reach," observed one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will prove insufficient.