The Honorary Fellowship award was presented by RSGS CEO Mike Robinson at Fair Maid’s House in Perth, in recognition of Mr Bain’s work promoting the conservation of peatlands.

RSGS Honorary Fellowships are prestigious awards conferred for contributions to society and sustainability through the wider discipline of geography. First awarded in 1888 Honorary Fellowship has been presented to some of the most important and influential geographers in modern times. Honorary Fellows join a network of people working to enact positive geographical change and inspire others to learn and care more deeply about the world.

Presenting the award, Mike Robinson said:

“Clifton Bain has worked tirelessly for many years as a national and international champion for peatland ecosystems. Through his work, policymakers and the general public now have a greater understanding of the intrinsic beauty of these natural habitats, their vital importance in supporting an array of remarkable biodiversity, and their essential role in storing large amounts of carbon and helping to combat climate change. 

“When Clifton began working in the field of peatland advocacy, they were a largely overlooked and undervalued part of our natural heritage. It is testament to his efforts that they have now become an integral part of day-to-day climate discussions and a central part of Scotland’s conservation strategy. It is then a great honour to include Clifton as an RSGS Honorary Fellow.” 

Clifton Bain, said:

"To be honoured as a fellow of the RSGS means a lot to me and I’m delighted to be recognised for doing the environmental work I love. Through the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, I have the pleasure of being with so many inspirational people, helping make the connection between conserving nature and tackling the global crises affecting society."

"I’ve been fascinated by the natural world since childhood and spent my career raising awareness of the threats to nature and more importantly, promoting the solutions.  I consider myself a wildlife enthusiast and firmly believe that helping people enjoy and experience our natural world is one of conservation’s greatest tools."