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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as exhausted delegates faced up to the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a resolution made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was attracting expanding support and made it evident they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "We were close for us," commented one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the official document, countries will start developing a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• 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

Mixed reactions

While our planet teeters on the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was not the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in different locations, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were ultimately in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is open. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a period of global disagreements, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one senior UN official. "It would be dishonest to claim that Cop30 has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.