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As dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a enclosed conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in difficult discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Patience wore thin, the air stifling as exhausted delegates faced up to the grim reality: they were unlikely to achieve a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The international climate negotiations faced the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for more than a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

Yet, during over three decades of regular climate meetings, the essential necessity to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and multiple other countries were adamant this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

Meanwhile, a increasing coalition of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a plan that was gathering increasing support and made it evident they were prepared to dig in.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to advance on securing economic resources to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and cause breakdown. "It was on the edge for us," stated one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the chief Saudi negotiator. They pressed text that would indirectly acknowledge 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 previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably approved the wording.

Delegates expressed relief. Applause rang out. The deal was completed.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took a modest advance towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them cope with the impacts of climate disasters
• This amount will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the clean economy

Varied responses

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

"The summit provided some modest progress in the proper course, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," stated one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, continuing wars in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the crosshairs at these negotiations," notes one climate activist. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The political space is available. Now we must transform it into a actual pathway to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted major disagreements in the only global process for addressing the climate crisis.

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," observed one global leader. "We should not suggest that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will fall far short.