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

Tempers were short, the air stifling as weary delegates confronted 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 major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is heating up our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during nearly three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "move beyond fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a plan that was earning expanding support and made it apparent they were ready to stand their ground.

Developing countries desperately wanted to move forward on securing funding support to help them manage the already disastrous impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and trigger failure. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment happened through discussions with Saudi Arabia. Shortly after 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation surprisingly approved the wording.

The room collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took an incremental move towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a uncertain, insufficient step that will minimally impact the climate's ongoing trajectory towards crisis. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Major components of the agreement

• Alongside the oblique commitment in the official document, countries will commence creating a plan to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be largely a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the essential decreases in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors move toward the renewable industry

Mixed reactions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "tipping points" that could eliminate habitats and force whole regions into chaos, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the proper course, but in light of the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This imperfect deal might have been the maximum achievable, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who ignored the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the rising tide of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic instability.

"Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the focus at the climate summit," says one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is open. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a more secure planet."

Significant divisions revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also exposed deep fissures in the primary worldwide framework for addressing the climate crisis.

"Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a era of geopolitical divides, consensus is increasingly difficult to reach," commented one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that this summit has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between present circumstances and what research requires remains alarmingly large."

When the world is to avoid the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.