🔗 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 tense discussions, with scores ministers representing various coalitions of countries including the most vulnerable nations to the most developed economies.

Frustration mounted, the air heavy as sweaty delegates faced up to the sobering reality: they would not reach a comprehensive agreement in Brazil. The 30th UN climate conference teetered on the brink of complete breakdown.

The sticking point: Fossil fuels

Scientific evidence has shown for nearly a century, the greenhouse gases produced by consuming fossil fuels is increasing temperatures on our planet to alarming levels.

Nevertheless, during over three decades of yearly climate meetings, the crucial requirement to stop fossil fuel use has been addressed only once – in a agreement made two years ago at the Dubai climate summit to "transition away from fossil fuels". Representatives from the Gulf states, Russia, and multiple other countries were determined this would not be repeated.

Growing momentum for change

At the same time, a expanding group of countries were just as committed that progress on this issue was crucially important. They had created a plan that was attracting growing support and made it clear they were ready to hold firm.

Developing countries desperately wanted to advance on securing funding support to help them manage the increasingly severe impacts of extreme weather.

Turning point

In the pre-dawn period of Saturday, some delegates were willing to withdraw and cause breakdown. "The situation was precarious for us," stated one government representative. "I was ready to walk away."

The breakthrough occurred through negotiations with Saudi Arabia. Around 6am, key negotiators split from the main group to hold a closed-door meeting with the lead Saudi negotiator. They encouraged text that would subtly reference the global commitment to "move beyond fossil fuels" made two years earlier in Dubai.

Unexpected agreement

Instead of explicitly mentioning fossil fuels, the text would refer to "the UAE consensus". Upon deliberation, the Saudi delegation unforeseeably agreed to the wording.

Delegates showed visible relief. Celebrations began. The deal was finalized.

With what became known as the "Belém political package", the world took another small step towards the gradual elimination of fossil fuels – a hesitant, inadequate step that will barely interrupt the climate's steady march towards catastrophe. But nevertheless a important shift from complete stagnation.

Important aspects of the agreement

• In addition to the subtle acknowledgment in the official document, countries will commence creating a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels
• This will be mostly a non-binding program led by Brazil that will report back next year
• Addressing the required reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to remain below the 1.5C limit was likewise deferred to next year
• Developing countries obtained a threefold increase to $120bn of regular financial support to help them adapt to the impacts of environmental crises
• This sum will not be fully available until 2035
• Workers will benefit from a "equitable change process" to help people working in high-carbon industries transition to the sustainable sector

Differing opinions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate "irreversible changes" that could destroy ecosystems and force whole regions into crisis, the agreement was far from the "major breakthrough" needed.

"The summit provided some small advances in the correct path, but given the magnitude of the climate crisis, it has not met the occasion," warned one environmental analyst.

This flawed deal might have been the best attainable, given the international tensions – including a Washington administration who shunned the talks and remains wedded to oil and coal, the increasing presence of rightwing populism, persistent fighting in multiple regions, intolerable levels of inequality, and global economic uncertainty.

"Fossil fuel corporations – the oil and gas companies – were finally in the focus at the climate summit," comments one climate activist. "This represents progress on that. The opportunity is open. Now we must transform it into a real fire escape to a protected environment."

Major disagreements revealed

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

"International summits are consensus-based, and in a era of international tensions, consensus is ever harder to reach," observed one international diplomat. "It would be dishonest to claim that these talks has achieved complete success that is needed. The gap between where we are and what evidence necessitates remains concerningly substantial."

When the world is to avoid the most severe impacts of climate crisis, the international negotiations alone will fall far short.