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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained stuck in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as exhausted delegates faced up to the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

However, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a proposal that was earning expanding support and made it clear they were prepared to hold firm.

Developing countries strongly sought to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and force a collapse. "We were close for us," remarked one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly accepted the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative 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 likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the clean economy

Differing opinions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some modest progress in the correct path, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one policy director.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the focus at the climate summit," comments one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

Although nations were able to welcome the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are unanimity-required, and in a era of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," stated one global leader. "We should not suggest that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.