Philanthropy
Our philanthropy is designed to facilitate cutting-edge scientific research and produce inspiring media to encourage a greater understanding of our planet.
10% for the ocean
Our largest living structure, supporting 94% of the planet’s species, producing 80% of the oxygen we breathe and covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, the Oceans are the heart of our planet, lying at the core of earth's stability. Governments and leaders around the world do not see the oceans as a critical priority, yet without healthy oceans life on earth ceases to exist.
10% for the ocean came to life because of the failure of existing funding systems to support healthy oceans. It came to life following a series of conversations with leading scientists and philanthropists about how they could act collectively to move the needle for ocean conservation funding by 10x and to set a new standard for targeted generosity.
The Arksen initiative, 10% for the ocean, is a simple concept: an open invitation to individuals, families, and organisations around the world to dedicate 10% of their charitable giving to ocean philanthropy. Today, the ocean receives less than 1% of all global charitable giving1, making it the least funded of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Funding will be directed to a collective giving fund which diversifies grant monies across pre-vetted ocean causes worldwide. The resultant funding can be delivered at scale and reach multiple innovative and impactful projects simultaneously, to advance ocean recovery and achieve environmental sustainability.
Sea Time Pledge
If you are fortunate enough to have access to one of our vessels, we think you have a responsibility to use it to help better protect and understand our oceans.
All Arksen owners are encouraged to sign up to the Sea Time Pledge, whereby they donate a portion of their vessels’ annual sea time to scientific or educational projects.
Through our scientific network and with the help of the Yachts For Science platform, owners have access to a wealth of opportunities to turn their deliveries, transits or downtime into vital exploration and sea time for researchers, explorers, thought leaders and filmmakers to run their projects.
The projects can be run when the vessel is not in use by the owners or can be conducted as a unique and educational experience for family and friends. Providing the chance to be actively involved in furthering our knowledge of the complexity and fragility of the ocean ecosystem.
Yachts For Science
One of the greatest challenges for marine scientists is gaining access to the sea. The deep ocean (below 200 metres) is our largest and most vital ecosystem and yet we don’t fully understand how it functions or how healthy it is. Which is why Arksen have partnered with BOAT International, EYOS Expeditions, Nekton and the Ocean Family Foundation, to take on the task of helping scientists find out.
The goal of Yachts For Science is to bring together yacht owners and crew with marine scientists, researchers and content creators and provide access to the oceans. This is achieved by utilising the thousands of yachts that are travelling the globe as platforms for research.
These partnerships will provide the vital information required for decision-makers to bring about the protection and recovery of our oceans.
Tree of Life
On land, The Tree of Life is a project we are involved with to protect Africa’s natural landscapes. Working with the Zeitz Foundation we’re helping to plant three million indigenous acacia trees in the heart of Laikipia, Kenya. In the first phase, 100,000 tree seedlings were planted in the shape of a huge rhinoceros on the Segera Conservancy in Spring 2020.
