🔗 Share this article

While dawn crept over the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, unaware whether it was day or night. For more than 12 hours in strained discussions, with numerous ministers representing 17 groups of countries ranging from the poorest nations to the wealthiest economies.

Frustration mounted, the air thick as weary delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The latest global climate summit teetered on the brink of total collapse.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for more than a century, the CO2 emissions produced by utilizing fossil fuels is heating up our planet to critical levels.

Nevertheless, during more than three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to halt fossil fuel use has been referenced only once – in a decision made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "move beyond fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and a few other countries were resolved this would not be repeated.

Increasing pressure for change

Meanwhile, a growing number of countries were equally determined that advancement on this issue was vitally needed. They had created a plan that was earning growing support and made it clear they were willing to dig in.

Less wealthy nations desperately wanted to move forward on securing economic resources to help them address the already disastrous impacts of climate disasters.

Critical moment

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were prepared to withdraw and force a collapse. "We were close for us," commented one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a private conversation with the chief Saudi negotiator. They encouraged language that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unanticipated resolution

Rather than explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the Dubai agreement". After consideration, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The agreement was done.

With what became known as the "Amazon accord", the world took an incremental move towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a uncertain, inadequate step that will scarcely affect the climate's ongoing trajectory towards disaster. But nevertheless a significant departure from total inaction.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the indirect reference in the legally agreed text, countries will begin work a plan to systematically reduce fossil fuels
• This will be primarily a voluntary initiative 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 also put off to next year
• Developing countries secured a threefold increase to $120bn of annual finance to help them cope with the impacts of extreme weather
• This funding will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "fair adjustment program" to help people working in polluting businesses move toward the renewable industry

Varied responses

As the world approaches the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into disorder, the agreement was not the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some modest progress in the correct path, but considering the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has fallen short of the occasion," cautioned one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been all that was possible, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, continuing wars in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic volatility.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the fossil fuel giants – were finally in the spotlight at the climate summit," notes one policy convener. "We have crossed a threshold on that. The opportunity is available. Now we must convert it to a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

Even as nations were able to celebrate the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the sole international mechanism for addressing the climate crisis.

"UN negotiations are unanimity-required, and in a era of global disagreements, unanimity is increasingly difficult to reach," observed one international diplomat. "I cannot pretend that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between our current position and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

Should the world is to prevent the gravest consequences of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.