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When dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained confined in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in tense discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries including the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as sweaty delegates acknowledged the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations faced the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

Yet, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed 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 a few other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a plan that was gathering increasing support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Developing countries strongly sought to make progress on securing funding support to help them address the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "We were close for us," commented one energy minister. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough happened through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of 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 deal 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, insufficient step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the indirect reference in the official document, countries will commence creating a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them adapt to the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the renewable industry

Varied responses

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some small advances in the right direction, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This flawed deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of conservative movements, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the oil and gas companies – were ultimately in the focus at these negotiations," comments one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a safer world."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to celebrate the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a time of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach," observed one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate breakdown, the UN climate talks alone will prove insufficient.