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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a plan that was earning growing support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Emerging economies strongly sought to move forward on securing funding support to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to walk out and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," commented one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would subtly reference 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". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly agreed to the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the clean economy

Mixed reactions

As the world approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the proper course, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, continuing wars in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one climate activist. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is open. Now we must transform it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to welcome the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the primary worldwide framework for confronting the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a time of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will fall far short.