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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained stuck in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air heavy as sweaty delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by utilizing fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, 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 previous UN climate talks to "transition away 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

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a proposal that was earning expanding support and made it evident they were willing to hold firm.

Developing countries urgently needed to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one national delegate. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift 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". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

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

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work 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 required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries shift to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the right direction, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a US president who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," says one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is open. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, agreement is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The difference between our current position and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will not be nearly enough.