Starbucks’ incoming CEO, Brian Niccol, is facing criticism over the environment after he suggested the company would allow employees to commute by private jet from their homes in Newport Beach, California, to the company’s headquarters in Seattle instead of relocating.
In his offer letter to Nicole, Starbucks said: “During your employment with us, you will not be required to relocate to our headquarters. You agree to commute from your home office (and other travel) as necessary to perform your duties and responsibilities.”
A Starbucks spokesperson told CNBC that Nicol would be working from Starbucks’ Seattle office at least three days a week as part of the company’s hybrid work policy.
Starbucks will also provide Nicol, the former Chipotle CEO, with “a small remote office in Newport Beach” and “an assistant of your choice in that office.” Starbucks added that “this office location will be maintained at the company’s expense.”
Following reports of Nicol’s supermarket commute, people were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy of using a private jet amid the company’s sustainability efforts, which include banning plastic straws.
“Starbucks’ new CEO ‘super commutes’ 1,000 miles to Seattle on a private jet, so don’t be too hard on the waitress who gives you a plastic straw when you don’t want one,” one user wrote to X.
“It’s crazy that they spent $85 million in cash and stock to lure this guy away from Chipotle, then instead of relocating him to the PNW they made him commute 1000 miles 3 times a week on a corporate jet and damage the environment,” another wrote.
Meanwhile, another person said: “NPR reports that Starbucks’ new CEO will commute from his home in Southern California to Seattle and back again on the corporate jet three times a week. What a bunch of performative hypocrites for an eco-friendly brand. No company that really cares about the climate would agree to this.”
Another user echoed the sentiment, writing, “If this guy regularly commutes to work on a private jet then don’t believe @Starbucks when they say they care about the environment. They blame us for everyone’s cars but private jets, yachts etc cause much more environmental damage per unit.”
According to a report published last year by Oxfam, the carbon emissions of 0.1% of people (which includes using private jets and superyachts) are 77 times higher than the limit needed to keep global warming from peaking at 1.5°C. And according to a 2021 report from the European Transport and Environment Federation, private jets are up to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial aircraft and 50 times more than trains.
The Guardian has contacted Starbucks for comment.
