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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Gulf states, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a plan that was gathering increasing support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to make progress on securing economic resources to help them cope with the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

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

The breakthrough came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives separated from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed wording that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

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

Participants collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to 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 deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments 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 considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the focus at Cop30," says one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must turn it into a actual pathway to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a period of geopolitical divides, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," commented one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

If the world is to avoid the worst ravages of climate crisis, the global discussions alone will prove insufficient.