đŸ”— Share this article 'Fossil fuel giants finally in the crosshairs': UN climate summit prevents total failure with desperate deal. As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of BelĂ©m on Saturday morning, delegates remained trapped in a enclosed conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in tense discussions, with numerous ministers representing various coalitions of countries from the least developed nations to the richest economies. Patience wore thin, the air heavy as sweaty delegates acknowledged the sobering reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference hovered near the brink of total collapse. The major obstacle: Fossil fuels Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels. Nevertheless, during more than three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to cease fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a agreement made two years ago at Cop28 to "shift from fossil fuels". Officials from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were adamant this would not occur another time. Growing momentum for change Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a initiative that was earning increasing support and made it apparent they were ready to dig in. Less wealthy nations strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them address the growing impacts of extreme weather. Turning point By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were ready to leave and force a collapse. "It was on the edge for us," commented one national delegate. "I was ready to walk away." The critical development came through talks with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, key negotiators left the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They urged wording that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "shift from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai. Surprising consensus Rather than explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unexpectedly agreed to the wording. Participants collapsed into relief. Celebrations began. The agreement was done. With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a hesitant, insufficient step that will scarcely affect the climate's continued progression towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from total inaction. Important aspects of the agreement Complementing the oblique commitment in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels This will be mostly a voluntary initiative led by Brazil that will provide updates next year Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year Developing countries secured a tripling to $120bn of yearly funding to help them adapt to the impacts of extreme weather This amount will not be fully available until 2035 Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in polluting businesses shift to the clean economy Differing opinions As the world hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could eliminate habitats and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "giant leap" needed. "Negotiators delivered some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the severity of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion," stated one climate expert. This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the growing influence of nationalist politics, persistent fighting in different locations, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty. "Major polluters – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the spotlight at the climate summit," notes one environmental advocate. "This represents progress on that. The platform is available. Now we must convert it to a genuine solution to a protected environment." Major disagreements revealed While nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also highlighted significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis. "Climate conferences are consensus-based, and in a time of international tensions, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one international diplomat. "We should not suggest that these talks has delivered everything that is needed. The difference between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide." If the world is to prevent the worst ravages of climate breakdown, the international negotiations alone will prove insufficient.