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As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in difficult discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries from the poorest nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as exhausted delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations teetered on the brink of abject failure.

The central impasse: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for well over a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Mounting support for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were similarly resolved that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had formulated a proposal that was earning increasing support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

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

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," stated one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The pivotal moment came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, senior representatives left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would subtly reference 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". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Participants collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the renewable industry

Differing opinions

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some baby steps in the proper course, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a US president who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the spotlight at Cop30," comments one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a more secure planet."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the gavelling through of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a time of global disagreements, agreement is progressively challenging to reach," observed one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that this summit has provided all that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what science demands remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.