--- title: "Bill Pledges to Keep Flying Private Jet While Speaking Out Against Climate Change" description: "Billionaire climate advocate Bill Gates will do whatever it takes to save the planet — as long as it doesn't mean giving up his private jet." date: "2023-02-08" modified: "2023-02-08" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/bill-private-jet-climate-change" categories: - "Climate Change" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "Bill Gates" - "climate change" - "private jet" - "the digest" --- # Bill Pledges to Keep Flying Private Jet While Speaking Out Against Climate Change ![Billionaire climate advocate Bill Gates will do whatever it takes to save the planet — as long as it doesn't mean giving up his private jet.]() *\Image: Graham Denholm via Getty / Futurism\* ## Standing Up Billionaire Microsoft cofounder, philanthropist, and climate advocate Bill Gates will do whatever it takes to save the planet — as long as it doesn't mean flying economy. "Well, I buy the gold standard of, funding Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint," [Gates told the *BBC*]() during a lengthy interview, when asked how he feels about the criticism that, as one of the world's premier voices in the climate movement, regularly flying private — widely regarded as one of the more [blatantly terrible]() things one can do for the environment — is a bit hypocritical. (To clarify, [Climeworks]() is a direct air carbon capture firm that has a partnership with the Gates-founded Microsoft.) "And I spend billions of dollars on... climate innovation," he added. "So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?" In other words, Gates says that because of all that he already does for the world, his carbon footprint is offset enough that it's A-OK for him to fly private any time he pleases. The billionaire also said that he's "comfortable with the idea that, not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy Group is spending," referring to his alternative energy-focused investment fund, "that I'm part of the solution." Of course, he could very well offset even *more* carbon if he chose to put the private jet away and, on occasion, humbly opt for first class. But we digress. ## One Percenters Gates isn't the only famous climate advocate to be hit with similar criticisms. Elderly [babysitter]() Leonardo DiCaprio, whose [entire Instagram]() is devoted to his environmentalist efforts, has been criticized for his love of yachting, another activity known to be [pretty awful]() for the environment, while Amazon founder and [Bezos Earth Fund]() creator Jeff Bezos is often criticized for his own private jet use as well. (And also, uh, for how [generally horrible]() Amazon is for the planet.) To Gates' credit, he does do a *lot* for the environment, and there are legitimate practical reasons why ultra-wealthy folks might want to fly private. Still, it's always nice to see those at the top set positive examples for others in their tax bracket, considering [how disproportionate]() the top one percent's climate impact really is. **READ MORE:** [*Bill Gates on why he'll carry on using private jets and campaigning on climate change*]() \[CNBC\] **More on Bill Gates:** [*Bill Gates Gives $12 Million to Flatulent Australian Cows*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()