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As dawn was breaking the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained stuck in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the most vulnerable nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as weary delegates faced up to the harsh reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of abject failure.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

As science has told us for nearly a century, the CO2 emissions produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to dangerous levels.

However, during more than three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were resolved this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a proposal that was attracting expanding support and made it clear they were prepared to hold firm.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the growing impacts of extreme weather.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were ready to walk out and force a collapse. "We were close for us," remarked one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from 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 unexpectedly accepted the wording.

Participants expressed relief. Applause rang out. The settlement was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will begin work a framework to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the clean economy

Mixed reactions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the proper course, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, 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 various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the spotlight at the climate summit," says one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The platform is available. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to applaud the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed major disagreements in the primary worldwide framework for tackling the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are unanimity-required, and in a era of international tensions, consensus is progressively challenging to reach," commented one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between present circumstances and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

If the world is to avert the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.