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When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained confined in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as exhausted delegates confronted the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations hovered near the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

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

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a proposal that was attracting expanding support and made it apparent they were ready to dig in.

Emerging economies desperately wanted to make progress on securing economic resources to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Turning point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," commented one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the head Saudi negotiator. They pressed language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

The room showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses transition to the clean economy

Differing opinions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "tipping points" that could destroy ecosystems and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the proper course, but given the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," stated one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the focus at these negotiations," says one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The political space is open. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a period of global disagreements, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," observed one global leader. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has provided all that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what evidence necessitates remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avert the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.