🔗 Share this article

As dawn illuminated the Amazonian city of Belém on Saturday morning, representatives remained confined in a airless conference room, uncertain whether it was day or night. They had been 12 hours in strained discussions, with scores ministers representing multiple blocs of countries ranging from the most vulnerable nations to the wealthiest economies.

Tempers were short, the air stifling as sweaty delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference faced the brink of total collapse.

The major obstacle: Fossil fuels

Research has demonstrated for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels is warming our planet to alarming levels.

However, during nearly three decades of regular climate meetings, the urgent need to stop fossil fuel use has been mentioned only once – in a resolution made two years ago at previous UN climate talks to "shift from fossil fuels". Delegates from the Arab Group, Russia, and a few other countries were determined this would not occur another time.

Growing momentum for change

Simultaneously, a growing number of countries were equally determined that progress on this issue was urgently necessary. They had created a plan that was gathering growing support and made it apparent they were prepared to stand their ground.

Developing countries strongly sought to move forward on securing financial assistance to help them cope with the increasingly severe impacts of environmental crises.

Turning point

By the early hours of Saturday, some delegates were willing to leave and trigger failure. "It was on the edge for us," stated one government representative. "I was prepared to walk away."

The critical development happened through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Near 6am, principal delegates separated from the main group to hold a confidential discussion with the chief Saudi negotiator. They urged language that would obliquely recognise the global commitment to "transition away from fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

As opposed to explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Following reflection, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Cheers erupted. The settlement was finalized.

With what became known as the "Brazil agreement", the world took a modest advance towards the systematic reduction of fossil fuels – a faltering, limited step that will scarcely affect the climate's steady march towards disaster. But nevertheless a notable change from complete stagnation.

Key elements of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will start developing a roadmap to gradually eliminate fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a optional undertaking led by Brazil that will provide updates next year
• Addressing the necessary cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to stay within the 1.5C limit was also put off to next year
• Developing countries achieved a significant expansion to $120bn of regular financial support to help them cope with 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 high-carbon industries shift to the clean economy

Mixed reactions

While our planet hovers near the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could devastate environments and plunge whole regions into crisis, the agreement was insufficient as the "significant advancement" needed.

"Cop30 gave us some baby steps in the correct path, but in light of the severity of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This limited deal might have been the best attainable, given the political challenges – including a Washington administration who ignored the talks and remains aligned with oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, continuing wars in various areas, extreme measures of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Major polluters – the energy conglomerates – were finally in the crosshairs at the climate summit," notes one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The political space is open. Now we must turn it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Significant divisions revealed

While nations were able to welcome the formal approval of the deal, Cop30 also revealed significant divisions in the only global process for tackling the climate crisis.

"International summits are unanimity-required, and in a era of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," commented one global leader. "I cannot pretend that these talks has provided all that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avert the worst ravages of climate collapse, the international negotiations alone will not be nearly enough.