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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained trapped in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with scores ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air thick as sweaty delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

Yet, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Gulf states, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had developed a plan that was earning growing support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to make progress on securing economic resources to help them address the growing impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

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

The breakthrough happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates left the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would obliquely recognise 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 UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Applause rang out. The agreement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will commence creating a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly 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 threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of climate disasters
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some modest progress in the right direction, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, continuing wars in multiple regions, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were ultimately in the crosshairs at these negotiations," says one environmental advocate. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must turn it into a genuine solution to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for tackling 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. "We should not suggest that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

When the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.