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When dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained trapped in a windowless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in difficult discussions, with dozens ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the least developed nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as sweaty delegates confronted the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up our planet to dangerous levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a decision made two years ago at Cop28 to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a growing number of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was vitally needed. They had developed a plan that was gathering expanding support and made it apparent they were ready to stand their ground.

Emerging economies strongly sought to move forward on securing economic resources to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," commented one national delegate. "I considered to walk away."

The breakthrough came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Surprising consensus

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the previous commitment". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording.

Delegates collapsed into relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a uncertain, limited step that will barely interrupt the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Key elements of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a roadmap to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was similarly postponed to next year
• Developing countries secured a significant expansion to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to 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 high-carbon industries shift to the sustainable sector

Mixed reactions

With global conditions approaches the brink of climate "critical thresholds" that could devastate environments and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some small advances in the right direction, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in different locations, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the crosshairs at Cop30," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a safer world."

Major disagreements revealed

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

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a period of international tensions, agreement is ever harder to reach," commented one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The disparity between present circumstances and what research requires remains dangerously wide."

Should the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate crisis, the global discussions alone will fall far short.