Welcome to The National's weekly newsletter Beshara, where we share the most positive stories of the week.

“A Cop that’s making progress.”

“A Cop of action.”

“A major win.”

"A pretty damn good week."

From the United Nations’ top climate scientist to the more colourful reaction from US climate envoy John Kerry, whether it is on the big stages or in sideline chats or sessions in between, we have been hearing some cautiously optimistic reactions this week as world leaders thrash out the final agreements for Cop28. (Some way to go, of course, read the UN climate chief’s rallying call here and our round-up of what’s happened so far.)

But beyond the big announcements, it’s the efforts of the changemakers in communities all over the world that have inspired us with their tales of climate action. From young people to award winners, find their stories below.

And if that wasn’t encouragement enough our entire team has been delighted by our very own beshara - a gold award for this very young newsletter.

Thank you for reading and sharing.

Best wishes from Expo City Dubai,

‘We can keep rainforests alive’

While the world’s eyes are on the big stages for the big announcements, for those of us wandering the many nooks and crannies of Cop28 in Dubai, it’s the chance meetings with people from all over the world that are really opening our eyes.

Our reporter Ramola Talwar Badam met Sara Omi from Panama, who is the first lawyer in her community - the indigenous Embera people - and Cristiane Juliao of the Pankararu people in Brazil, who is the first among her people to study for a doctorate.

“Our people have done the work to protect Mother Earth for thousands of years. I want to raise the call so people listen to our experiences,” said Ms Omi.

“We also have genuine solutions in ancestral medicine. We must join forces to save our people and save the planet.” Read their fascinating insights and about their remarkable efforts here.

QUOTED

'I just jumped in the water and when I saw that, I said, wow. Was there ever any warming here? It had come back completely - completely! The strongest recovery of coral ever seen'

– National Geographic’s Explorer in residence had an audience enthralled with a powerful story of marine life recovery during an interview with The National at Cop28 - watch it here

Tomorrow’s world

As you wander the sunlit pathways of both the blue and green zones at Cop, passing groups of delegates making their way between sessions, you notice two things: the number of young people (and the energy among them), and secondly, the many, many slogans decorating buildings, fluttering on flags or emblazoned on buildings.

Time to act. Hope inspires action. Brave and bold together.

And this is the sentiment we have been hearing from young people we have spoken to at the summit.

“I have attended the past three Cops and I have seen this type of youth presence in every single Cop," Annette Sanchez Guzman, 18, a UN youth delegate from Mexico, said. She emphasised the importance of not giving up and ensuring world leaders "understand that we are the present and we're also going to be the future". Read more from youth delegates here.

Perhaps another sign of the acknowledgement that actions today are their future - for the first time the United Nations introduced two youth categories for the annual Climate Action Awards. Read about the two winners and the ways they are championing both climate action and their communities here.

You can also hear part two of our special edition of Business Extra podcast, where we hear from youth delegates from across the Middle East.

SNAPSHOT

The fashion industry, described as “one of the most harmful industries on the planet” by Stella McCartney in an interview with The National’s fashion editor, Sarah Maisey, was spotlighted at Cop28 this week.

But this time for all the right reasons.

Pictured above is the stunning Sustainable Fashion Show at the famous Al Wasl Plaza. See more pics here, and read the full interview with McCartney, who was part of an installation showcasing “15 incredible material innovations” at the summit.

See some of this week's most captivating pictures here

IMPACT ON INSTAGRAM

HIGHLIGHTS

	Iraqis clean streets and plant trees on International Volunteer Day
	Cop28 can help African forest elephants as businesses push for net zero
	Sheikh Mohammed launches world's largest concentrated solar project