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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a windowless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as weary delegates acknowledged the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

However, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a resolution made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a proposal that was earning growing support and made it apparent they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to make progress on securing economic resources to help them address the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "move beyond 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 surprisingly approved the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was completed.

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

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program 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 similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the right direction, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a American leader who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, continuing wars in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The platform is open. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are unanimity-required, and in a time of global disagreements, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.