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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing 17 groups of countries from the least developed nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as sweaty delegates acknowledged the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to dangerous levels.

Yet, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a proposal that was earning increasing support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and trigger failure. "We were close for us," remarked one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the official document, countries will begin work a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed 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 extreme weather
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the renewable industry

Varied responses

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a American leader who avoided 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.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the focus at the climate summit," says one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a era of global disagreements, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

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