Paper short abstract:

This paper critically explores the meaning and impact of the Coat of Hopes both along its 500 mile journey from London to Glasgow in September and October 2021 as part of the Camino to COP, and its daily presence at the gates of COP26 in November 2021.

Paper long abstract:

This paper critically explores the meaning and impact of the Coat of Hopes both along its 500-mile journey from London to Glasgow in September and October 2021 as part of the Camino to COP walking pilgrimage, and then its daily presence at the Gates of COP26 in November 2021. The Coat of Hopes is constructed of hundreds of small square blanket patches, each representing local environmental hopes, prayers, memories, griefs and/or fears of their creators, that were handsewn onto the Coat at various stopping points along its journey on the shoulders of Coat Pilgrims. Consequently, the Coat of Hopes had to embody the hopes and fears of all the contributors, Coat Pilgrims and Coat Guardians and served as their personal messages to official delegates to the COP26 deliberations. When delegates to the official proceedings entered and exited the Gates of COP26, they were invited to feel the weight of these hopes and fears by physically donning the Coat and listening to the Song of the Coat of Hopes that were sang to each new coat bearer and pilgrim.