🔗 Share this article

While dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, negotiators remained confined in a windowless 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 richest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air stifling as weary delegates acknowledged the grim reality: there would not be a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit faced the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for well over a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of annual climate meetings, the urgent need to cease fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a agreement made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and several other countries were adamant this would not occur another time.

Mounting support for change

At the same time, a increasing coalition of countries were similarly resolved that advancement on this issue was crucially important. They had formulated a initiative that was attracting expanding support and made it clear they were willing to stand their ground.

Less wealthy nations strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the growing impacts of climate disasters.

Breaking point

During the night of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and force a collapse. "The situation was precarious for us," remarked one energy minister. "I was prepared to walk away."

The pivotal moment occurred through talks with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Instead of explicitly referencing fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

The room expressed relief. Applause rang out. The deal was done.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the phaseout of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will minimally impact the climate's continued progression towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from absolute paralysis.

Major components of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will begin work a framework to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a voluntary initiative 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 threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of environmental crises
• This funding will not be completely provided until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors shift to the clean economy

Varied responses

While our planet approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into disorder, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some modest progress in the proper course, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one climate expert.

This flawed deal might have been all that was possible, given the geopolitical headwinds – including a US president who avoided the talks and remains committed to oil and coal, the rising tide of rightwing populism, continuing wars in various areas, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the crosshairs at Cop30," says one policy convener. "This represents progress on that. The political space is accessible. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

Although nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also exposed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for tackling the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a time of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," stated one senior UN official. "We should not suggest that this summit has achieved complete success that is needed. The difference between where we are and what research requires remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to prevent the most severe impacts of climate collapse, the global discussions alone will not be nearly enough.