🔗 Share this article

When dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. Having spent 12 hours in strained discussions, with dozens ministers representing various coalitions of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air thick as exhausted delegates faced up to the grim reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit hovered near the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the carbon dioxide produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to critical levels.

However, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Middle Eastern nations, Russia, and several other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Simultaneously, a expanding group of countries were equally determined that movement on this issue was crucially important. They had developed a plan that was gathering expanding support and made it evident they were willing to dig in.

Developing countries desperately wanted to make progress on securing funding support to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and cause breakdown. "We were close for us," remarked one government representative. "I considered to walk away."

The critical development came through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates split from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the head Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would indirectly acknowledge the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly namechecking fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation surprisingly accepted the wording.

The room expressed relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was completed.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took another small step towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards crisis. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• Complementing the indirect reference in the formal agreement, countries will start developing a framework to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be largely a non-binding program led by Brazil that will deliver findings next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to not exceed the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a tripling to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be delivered in full until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "just transition mechanism" to help people working in fossil fuel sectors transition to the sustainable sector

Varied responses

As the world hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and throw whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "major breakthrough" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the proper course, but in light of the scale of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one policy director.

This imperfect deal might have been all that was possible, given the political challenges – including a American leader who shunned the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the growing influence of rightwing populism, ongoing conflicts in various areas, unacceptable degrees of inequality, and global economic instability.

"The climate arsonists – the energy conglomerates – were at last in the spotlight at these negotiations," notes one environmental advocate. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The platform is accessible. Now we must convert it to a actual pathway to a safer world."

Deep fissures revealed

While nations were able to applaud the official adoption of the deal, Cop30 also revealed deep fissures in the only global process for confronting the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are consensus-based, and in a period of global disagreements, consensus is ever harder to reach," stated one senior UN official. "I cannot pretend that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between our current position and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

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