On April 6th, 2024, the European Peatlands and Policies Open Data Mapathon was held both online and in-person at the University of Galway (Insight/DSI). The event aimed to map peatlands and policies across Europe by using geospatial and open data sets with relevant policy documentation. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in Ireland funded the event as a part of their initiative to encourage open data use. The event had 184 registrants and 20 teams that used QGIS to map peatlands in various countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland. Prizes were awarded to incentivize participation.
A team of four from Wetlands International South Asia mapped peatlands in Estonia using open-source geospatial datasets and identified diverse policy instruments affecting peatlands’ conservation and use. The team also examined governmental policies on peatlands and categorized them into eight themes.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to explore peatlands and associated policies from a worldwide standpoint. Participating groups presented policies and maps covering diverse European regions, making it an enlightening experience. This event also provided insights into the peatland policies of various Northern European regions.