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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained confined in a airless conference room, oblivious whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as weary delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had created a plan that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were prepared to dig in.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing economic resources to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to withdraw and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will commence creating a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates 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 annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the clean economy

Differing opinions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the crosshairs at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of global disagreements, agreement is ever harder to reach," stated one global leader. "We should not suggest that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between our current position and what evidence necessitates remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.