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While dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as weary delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Officials from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a initiative that was attracting expanding support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to make progress on securing economic resources to help them address the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

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

Delegates collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will commence creating a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the clean economy

Mixed reactions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the right direction, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one policy director.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the spotlight at these negotiations," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a time of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach," stated one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between where we are and what evidence necessitates remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will prove insufficient.