Draft:90 North Foundation

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90 North Foundation is an ocean conservation non-profit dedicated to promoting protective measures for the Central Arctic Ocean environment, the high seas region surrounding the North Geographic Pole. The Foundation's mission addresses the risks and opportunities created by the Arctic's seasonally receding sea-ice cover. The envisioned international agreement(s), promoting scientific endeavour, conservation of biodiversity, and peaceful international collaboration, would establish a North Pole Marine Reserve. Such agreement(s) would provide, in legal form, a barrier to commercial vessel access and activity hitherto provided by the Arctic Ocean's perennial sea-ice cover.

History

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The Foundation was established in May 2021 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.[1] Its founding reflects growing international concern over the lack of legal protection for the resources and ecosystems of the Central Arctic Ocean's high seas region,[2] the world's least-disturbed by vessels,[3] fastest-warming[4] (resulting in up to 40% seasonal loss of sea-ice cover),[5] and at risk ocean environments for mammals,[6] as a range of commercial interests including commercial fishing, transboundary shipping (cargo), deep-sea mineral mining and hydrocarbon extraction, and cruise tourism look to take advantage of the region's seasonally receding sea-ice cover.[5]

British explorer, Pen Hadow, the Foundation's founder, is known for having made the only trek, solo and without resupply, from Canada to the North Geographic Pole (2003).[7] [8]He went on to lead the international research programme, Catlin Arctic Survey (2008-12),[9] which studied sea-ice loss,[10] ocean acidification,[11] and ocean circulation[12] in the Arctic Ocean.

Most recently, he led Arctic Mission (2017) which involved sailing two vessels into the Central Arctic Ocean,[13] the first to do so without icebreaker support, thereby demonstrating the extent of sea-ice retreat and consequent ease of access for larger commercial vessels.

His expeditions and advocacy have raised global awareness about the fast-changing Arctic Ocean environment, and more recently the vulnerability of the Central Arctic Ocean's biodiversity and ecosystems.[14] [15] [16] In March 2023, Hadow was awarded the Shackleton Medal "for the protection of the polar regions".[17]

Objectives and activities

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The Foundation's charitable objectives focus on:

  • Promoting and commissioning scientific research into Arctic marine wildlife and ecosystems;
  • Supporting education and outreach to inform public discourse and policymaking;
  • Advocating for international legal frameworks to establish a marine reserve in the Central Arctic Ocean.

The Foundation works with civil society organisations, research institutions, national agencies, and intergovernmental bodies to catalyse multi-lateral agreement(s) that protect the Central Arctic Ocean's natural resources, ecosystem services and historically peaceful state.

Governance

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The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees, advised by appointed accountants and lawyers, and supported by volunteers. Trustees receive no remuneration, and there are no salaried employees above the threshold requiring public disclosure. The organisation maintains policies including financial controls, partnerships, safeguarding, conflicts of interest, and risk management.

Partnerships

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90 North Foundation collaborates with a range of organisations to advance its mission. Key partners include:

  • Inigo Insurance, a founding corporate partner.[18] Its business service provides high-risk, high-capacity insurance and reinsurance, operating primarily through the broker market, and is known for its data-driven approach to risk assessment and decision-making;
  • The University of Exeter (UK) through its marine and conservation research function, hosts the Arctic Ocean Research Unit in partnership with 90 North Foundation, to contribute scientific research that can inform Arctic Ocean conservation policy;[19]
  • The World Maritime University (WMU), a postgraduate maritime institution under the auspices of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO), conducts research commissioned by 90 North Foundation focused on governance frameworks for the Central Arctic Ocean.

These partnerships support the Foundation's role in bridging scientific knowledge, legal innovation, and diplomatic engagement.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Charity Commission".
  2. ^ Brigham, Lawson W; Gamble, James T (20 November 2022). "Strategy for protecting the future Arctic Ocean". Oceanography - Magazine of the Oceanography Society. 35 (3–4): 167–177.
  3. ^ Berkman, PA; Fiske, G.J.; Lorenzini, D; Young, O.R.; Pletnikoff, K; Grebmeier, J.M.; Fernandez, L.M. (11 January 2023). "Satellite Record of Pan-Arctic Maritime Ship Traffic". NOAA Arctic Report Card. 2022 – via NOAA In The Arctic.
  4. ^ Rantanen, Mika; Karpechko, Alexey; Lipponen, Antii; Nordling, Kalle; Hyvarinen, Otto; Ruosteenoja, Kimmo; Vihma, Timo; Laaksonen, Ari (11 August 2022). "The Arctic has warmed nearly four times faster than the globe since 1979". Communications Earth & Environment. 3 (168) 168. Bibcode:2022ComEE...3..168R. doi:10.1038/s43247-022-00498-3 – via Nature.
  5. ^ "Arctic sea ice extent settles at record seasonal minimum". National Snow & Ice Data Center. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  6. ^ Stafford, K.M. (9 November 2021). "The changing Arctic marine soundscape". NOAA Arctic Report Card. 2021 NOAA Technical Report OAR ARC 21-14 – via NOAA Institutional Repository.
  7. ^ Dougary, Ginny (20 May 2003). "After 64 days, 478 miles, -45ºC, Pen Hadow makes history by walking solo to the North Pole". The Times. p. 1. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  8. ^ Hadow, Pen (2004). Solo: Alone & Unsupported to the North Pole (2nd ed.). London: Micheal Joseph. ISBN 9780718147105.
  9. ^ Hadow, Pen; Hartley, Martin (2013). Catlin Arctic Survey: Investigating the Arctic Ocean Environment. UK: Polarworld.
  10. ^ Shukman, David (13 May 2009). "Gruelling Arctic mission ends". BBC News. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  11. ^ Daniels, Ann (31 March 2010). "Catlin Arctic Survey: Stormy winds, thin ice and polar bear prints". The Guardian.
  12. ^ "Scientists working off Cornwall gather Arctic data". BBC News. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  13. ^ Doward, Jamie (24 September 2017). "How did that get there? Plastic chunks on Arctic ice show how far pollution has spread". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  14. ^ Walsh, Dave (26 October 2018). "IMO Progress On Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil Ban Welcomed by Environmental and Indigenous Groups". Clean Arctic Alliance.
  15. ^ Thomson, Jimmy (11 August 2023). "The desperate race to create a protection zone around the rapidly melting Arctic". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  16. ^ Young, Kirsten; Godley, Brendan (2 January 2025). "Why we need to transform the Arctic Ocean into a North Pole marine reserve". The Conversation. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Pen Hadow wins the 2023 Shackleton Medal". Oceanographic. April 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  18. ^ Jimenez-Sanchez, Kassandra (11 July 2023). "Inigo partners with Arctic conservation non-profit to assess shipping and biodiversity risks". The Insurer. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  19. ^ Morrison, Alex (3 February 2023). "New bid to protect Central Arctic Ocean". University of Exeter News. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
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