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While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates 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 17 groups of countries from the least developed nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air heavy as weary 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 total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

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

However, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt 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 Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had formulated a plan that was gathering increasing support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

Emerging economies urgently needed to advance on securing economic resources to help them address the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," commented one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text 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 previous commitment". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Participants showed visible relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will start developing a framework to gradually eliminate 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 likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of yearly funding to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries move toward the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

With global conditions hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was far from the "giant leap" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the right direction, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the international tensions – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the crosshairs at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is available. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a time of global disagreements, unanimity is progressively challenging to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that this summit has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

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