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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained confined in a windowless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as exhausted delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

Yet, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced 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 a few other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a plan that was earning expanding support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries strongly sought to move forward on securing economic resources to help them address the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will start developing a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the renewable industry

Varied responses

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the proper course, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were at last in the focus at Cop30," notes one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is available. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a time of geopolitical divides, consensus is progressively challenging to reach," commented one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.