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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a airless 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.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as weary delegates faced up to 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 central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to critical levels.

Yet, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and a few other countries were adamant this would not happen again.

Increasing pressure for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a plan that was earning growing support and made it apparent they were ready to stand their ground.

Emerging economies strongly sought to advance on securing funding support to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," remarked one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They urged text that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

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

Participants expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will commence creating a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed 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 completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the crosshairs at Cop30," comments one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is open. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a era of global disagreements, unanimity is ever harder to reach," stated one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between our current position and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

Should the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.