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While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the richest economies.

Tempers were short, the air heavy as exhausted delegates faced up to the harsh reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

However, during over three decades of annual climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Officials from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were determined this would not happen again.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a proposal that was attracting growing support and made it evident they were prepared to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations urgently needed to advance on securing financial assistance to help them address the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to walk out and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The breakthrough came through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged wording that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

As opposed to explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly approved the wording.

Delegates collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a important shift from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• In addition to the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will commence creating a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a non-binding program 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries obtained a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them manage the impacts of extreme weather
• This sum will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the clean economy

Differing opinions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and throw whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "significant advancement" needed.

"Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the correct path, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," warned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a American leader who ignored the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the fossil fuel giants – were at last in the focus at the climate summit," says one policy convener. "There is no turning back on that. The political space is available. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Deep fissures revealed

Although 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 consensus-based, and in a period of international tensions, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," stated one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has provided all that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will fall far short.