Virtual Peatlands Pavilion

The Global Peatlands Pavilion took place from 1 to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow in the Blue Zone at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Pavilion itself consisted of a physical space including a water droplet structure built out of reeds gathered from peatlands, and a 3D virtual pavilion with three “floors” of multi-media content, including over 200 exhibits. The programme brought together over 250 speakers from around the world from all sectors and disciplines. There were 45 sessions held over the 12 thematic days, covering topics such as peatlands in Nationally Determined Contributions, mobilising finance, adaptation and resilience, and peatland science and policy. Funded by a range of sponsors including governments, NGOs and businesses, the pavilion was the largest-ever gathering of its kind, with over 2700 people from more than 100 countries registering to the online platform and many more attending in person. It led to a number of impacts including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Scotland and Chile to support the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of their peatlands. The pavilion launched the baseline map that will be used in the upcoming Global Peatlands Assessment; re-enforced commitments to include peatlands in NDCs in the Nile Basin; enabled dialogue on the development of a new European Peatlands Initiative; and hosted the launch of landmark reports by UNEP on the Economics of Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management of Peatlands, by Ramsar on Peatland Restoration Practice, and by IUCN UK Peatland Programme on peat-free horticulture – Demonstrating Success.