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

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

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

However, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Officials from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a initiative that was gathering increasing support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

Developing countries strongly sought to make progress on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," commented one national delegate. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Celebrations began. The deal was finalized.

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 continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Complementing the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking 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 similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some baby steps in the correct path, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, continuing wars in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the focus at the climate summit," says one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a time of global disagreements, unanimity is ever harder to reach," commented one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what science demands remains alarmingly large."

If the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate breakdown, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.