Mercedes-Benz has been announced as the main sponsor of Mike Horn’s Pangaea environment expedition.

Aiming to increase the awareness of the environment and to inspire environmental projects, the expedition will see Horn travel around the world on a four-year adventure.

He set off from Monaco aboard his boat, named the Pangaea, to "explore – learn – act".

Dr Olaf Gottgens, vice president of brand communications at Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "Mike Horn and Mercedes-Benz are both pioneers in their fields and they both use their expertise and resources to protect our natural environment and our climate."

By supporting the expedition, Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable motoring and the boat will be travelling to five continents as well as the North and South Poles.

Horn will be accompanied by 144 young people on projects aimed at helping the environment.

"We want to help these young people to find out about and learn to appreciate the world’s natural resources through project work. We want them to understand the impact of human actions on the environment and nature," said Horn.

"Mercedes-Benz is a competent partner which enables us to implement environmental and social projects around the world with state-of-the-art technology," he added.