E.ON is one of the world's largest energy corporations, a sector that significantly contributes to emissions and, consequently, climate change. Conversely, the E.ON Foundation is committed to projects that seek to raise awareness about energy consumption, sustainability, and the transformation of energy production. As the artistic collective art4biodiversity gUG, we align ourselves with these latter objectives, while maintaining a critical stance toward the broader energy sector.

Our goal is to utilize the sponsorship funds from the E.ON Foundation in line with their publicly stated aims, which resonate with our own. It's important to note the distinction between the E.ON Foundation and E.ON SE. We are not contractually obligated to endorse E.ON SE uncritically, nor to participate in any efforts to greenwash the holding company. The grant was provided with the sole stipulation that we execute the project for which we applied—specifically, the development of a website featuring an artistic carbon calculator and the promotion of our non-fungible jungle token (NFJT). Our broader ambition is to foster a cultural shift toward ecological mindfulness and action.

While we'd ideally like to rely solely on uncontroversial funding sources, achieving this is often difficult, particularly in the art world. Nonetheless, we believe we are allocating the granted funds ethically. The same currency that may have been generated by a company with a negative environmental impact can, in a subsequent transaction, be invested in a project that promotes sustainability and biodiversity. We strive for transparency concerning the origins of our funding (e.g., by displaying the logo on our website) and openly welcome discussions about the intricate financial relationships between the art world and the energy sector. We value a discerning audience that questions and scrutinizes us, rather than obscuring the sources of our funding and projecting a false image.

In our endeavors with art4biodiversity gUG, we uphold the principles of integrity and authenticity. We aim to comprehend contemporary ecological and economic realities in their full complexity, avoiding reductive binaries and simplistic narratives. We strive to responsibly and transparently manage the resources allocated to us, while promoting ecological art and culture and engaging in candid conversations about the complexities of art patronage, all without losing our critical edge.