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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as exhausted delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of abject failure.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a plan that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were ready to dig in.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to advance on securing financial assistance to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Rather than explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was done.

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

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the legally agreed text, countries will commence creating a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them manage the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum 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 renewable industry

Differing opinions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the proper course, but given the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, ongoing conflicts in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at Cop30," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is accessible. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to applaud the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted deep fissures in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The disparity between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.