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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as sweaty delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

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

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a plan that was attracting growing support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Emerging economies strongly sought to advance on securing economic resources to help them cope with the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one energy minister. "I was ready to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

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

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

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

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the focus at Cop30," says one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a era of international tensions, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," stated one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.