Starbucks‘ incoming CEO, Brian Niccol, is facing environmental criticism following the company’s offer for him to commute from his home in Newport Beach, California, to its headquarters in Seattle via a private jet instead of relocating.
In Starbucks’ offer letter to Niccol, the company stated, “During your employment with the company, you will not be required to relocate to the company’s headquarters … You agree to commute from your residence to the company’s headquarters (and engage in other business travel) as is required to perform your duties and responsibilities.”
A Starbucks spokesperson clarified to CNBC that Niccol will be expected to work from the Seattle office at least three days a week, in line with the company’s hybrid work policies. Starbucks will also provide Niccol, the former CEO of Chipotle, with a “small remote office in Newport Beach, as well as an “assistant of your choosing for such office”. The company added that this “office location will be maintained at the expense of the company”.
Following reports of Niccol’s super commute, people were quick to point out the apparent contradiction with the company’s sustainability efforts, including its ban on plastic straws. Critics highlighted the significant carbon footprint associated with private jet travel, which can be up to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial planes and 50 times more polluting than trains.
A report released by Oxfam last year found that the carbon footprint of the 0.1% – including their use of private jets and superyachts – is 77 times higher than the upper level required for global warming to peak at 1.5°C. Private jets typically emit about 2.5 kilograms of CO2 per kilometer flown, which could result in emissions of up to 8,000 kilograms of CO2 per day for Niccol’s commute, or approximately 1,152 to 1,920 metric tons of CO2 per year if he travels three to five days a week.