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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained stuck in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during more than 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 Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a plan that was attracting increasing support and made it apparent they were willing to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to move forward on securing economic resources to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one national delegate. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, senior representatives split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

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

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

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took an incremental move towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be largely a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

With global conditions teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the correct path, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, continuing wars in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the focus at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is open. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are agreement-dependent, and in a period of global disagreements, consensus is ever harder to reach," commented one global leader. "We should not suggest that this summit has provided all that is needed. The disparity between our current position and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

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