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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in tense discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as sweaty delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

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

However, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a plan that was attracting expanding support and made it apparent they were prepared to dig in.

Developing countries strongly sought to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift 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 unexpectedly accepted the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the subtle acknowledgment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" 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," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at the climate summit," says one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The political space is open. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a time of global disagreements, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," commented one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has provided all that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

Should the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will fall far short.