It’s well known that Mark Zuckerberg both loves private jet travel and wants to tackle climate change. Instead of walking the talk, a source that follows his private jet travel shared that Zuckerberg recently made 28 trips in just 60 days, which is reported to have emitted massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Further, we looked at two weeks of his private jet travel to and from Kauai, which is listed in detail below.
The Facebook/Meta founder travels between 10 homes in California (including Lake Tahoe, Palo Alto, and San Francisco) and his sprawling estate on Kauai.
While the World Bank says that the average American produces about 15 metric tons of carbon annually, Zuckerberg’s plane alone produces far more than 1,500 metric tons of carbon at this rate of flying. In two weeks alone, however, it created some 159 metric tons of carbon, which could indicate that the estimate of 1,500 tons a year is actually far too low.
The data for this reporting comes from flight tracking software ADS-B Exchange. It was shared by a Twitter user whose public account follows the movements of the wealthiest people’s private jets. You may recall he also tracks Elon Musk, who is reported to have tried unsuccessfully to pay to have his tracking removed. His Zuckerberg Twitter feed is below.
What does it take to fly Zuckerberg to his Kauai digs?
In just two weeks, starting Memorial Day, Zuckerberg’s plane created about 159 metric tons of C02. That is more C02 than the average person produces in an entire year. The cost of jet fuel in the two weeks was $115,000. For a billionaire, that may be the equivalent of not much more than a gas fill-up at Costco for us.
Here’s where Zuckerberg’s private jet flew between May 28 and June 12.
San Jose to Lihue, May 28
Fuel consumption: Approximately 2,360 gallons
Cost of jet fuel: $15,815.
C02 emissions: 25 tons.
Lihue to Nadi, Fiji, May 29
Tracking details were not provided for this 3,151-mile flight, which is about 600 miles farther than the flights to and from California. We estimated the details below.
Fuel consumption: Approximately 3,000 gallons
Cost of jet fuel: $21,000.
C02 emissions: 30 tons.
Nadi to Honolulu, June 2
Tracking details were not provided for this 3,151-mile flight, which is about 600 miles farther than the flights to and from California. We estimated the details below.
Fuel consumption: Approximately 3,000 gallons
Cost of jet fuel: $21,000.
C02 emissions: 30 tons.
Honolulu to Lihue, June 2
Fuel consumption: Approximately 210 gallons
Cost of jet fuel: $1,349
C02 emissions: 2 tons.
Lihue to San Jose, June 3
Fuel consumption: Approximately 2,290 gallons
Cost of Jet fuel: Approximately $15,506
C02 emissions: 24 tons.
San Jose to Lihue, Jun 11
Fuel consumption: Approximately 2,290 gallons
Cost of Jet fuel: Approximately $15,506
C02 emissions: 24 tons.
Lihue to Truckee, June 12
Fuel consumption: Approximately 2,290 gallons
Cost of Jet fuel: Approximately $15,506
C02 emissions: 24 tons.
Zuckerberg’s $65 million Gulfstream G650 jet: his Kauai wheels.
Zuckerberg flies private for security reasons.
The Financial Times said Zuckerberg’s company spent $1.6 million last year on his private flights. Based on the two weeks we checked on, that also sounds very conservative.
Zuckerberg’s Meta says it is committed to tackling climate change.
Meta said, “Climate change is one of the most urgent issues impacting our world today, and Meta is committed to helping tackle this global challenge.” That comes amid Zuckerberg’s statements that his metaverse will play a role in reducing carbon emissions. His Chan Zuckerberg Initiative recently put up $44 million to help create new climate technology.
Private jet travel has dogged the rich and famous. One A-lister, billionaire Bernard Arnault, recently said he sold his private plane and likely switched to leased jets to stop the tracking. Others, including Prince Harry and Taylor Swift, have been criticized for using private jet travel.
Any thoughts?
—Zucc Jet (@ZuccJet) October 15, 2022 – slider on right will let you see his travels.
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Tony S says
Just as the Hollywood elites and people like Al Gore love to lecture “the common people” on protecting our environment while they exempt themselves from their wonderful ideas, or the politicians claiming that if you turn your behavior and money over to them, our planet will miraculously cool and cleanse itself, the hypocrisy of Mr. Zuckerberg is the same.
David B says
If it makes you feel better, Meta (Facebook) stock is down more than 70% over the past year. Assuming most all of his wealth is tied up in that stock, then Zuckerberg is also down over 70% in the past year. Maybe flying around makes him feel better about it?
Speak of “Climate Change,” whatever happened with that “eco-tourist” movement on Kauai? We’ve been back on island for a week, already, and no one has offered to mow our lawn or cut back the naupaka (that stuff grows a few inches a day). And these co-cos won’t trim themselves.
Paul P says
Hypocrite
AlfredH says
I believe that people should pay farmers in the Amazon to not cut down trees. Same as we pay for oil in the ground, or windmills that produce energy. Pay based on how much Oxygen is produced. If the land owner receives compensation, it would be an incentive to stop deforestation. Air is the most important commodity of all, we’re just unwilling to pay for it. Every flight private or commercial should pay a carbon offset fee for the amount of CO2 produced, against how many acres of tress it takes to remove that CO2 from the air. Air needs to be a business for us to be able to have access to it long term. We’re losing thus far.
Jase says
He’s full of it! Like all the rest who fly private!
Julie M says
The rich want you to walk to work or use public transportation do without don’t want you to eat meat blame the rest of us but yet they are the ones creating climate change with there mass cars homes planes there businesses waste of water for there swimming pools and electricity for homes not being lived in …why is anybody listening to these hypocrites….just conserve don’t be watchful and stop buying so many things…stop dieing your hair plastic surgery nails makeup it all causes climate change…
Gaurav G says
I just spent 14 days in Princeville, Kauai. I can attest, sincerely, that nearly every person I met, and certainly every local person, openly expressed to me their utter contempt and hatred for Mark Zuckerberg, when discussing Kauai.
Edward B says
We spent 10 days on the island 🏝 and it is the ultimate paradise…I hope is that way 10 years from now without someone like him changing it
Kauaidoug says
You know there is a platform out there where you can keep up with folks and friends without travel?
Bob B. says
Well he could go Solar, would take a lot longer fer flights but then maybe he wouldn’t be so hypocritical?
Liam G says
Lol well he may be flying commercial economy soon given the way he’s run his company into the ground. Probably wishes he had his 400 million back right now lol.
David B says
Meta was over $350 a share last November. It just closed today under $100. If it get’s down to $20, I’ll buy some. What the heck!
Ric says
Does it really matter ? Nothing will change for the elite. They talk about climate change, then fly in private jets. Al Gore and many more do the same thing. But the regular folks will be penilized for breathing. Get rid of the cows, they make to much gas while they eat steak dinner. They all complain just to capitalize for money. They worry about nothing. Will he be hit with the $50 visitors fee? I bet not.
Rev says
A zebra can’t change its stripes 🦓
Even funnier that most people who call him out on this and are “climate change” people have a Facebook account and use it often. They paid for his jet and gas and drive cars. Start by keeping your side of the street clean or just shut it.
Randy R says
The hypocrisy, be it Zuckerburg, Bezos, Case, Gates, Kerry, Pelosi, Celeb’s like DiCaprio, there is always their convenience, their need for secrecy that trumps that of the Taxpaying Electorate. I still remember the likes of flying with Rod Stewart, Kelsey Grammar, Carol Burnett, Jim Nabor’s, multiple times, when the Pro-Bowl was still there every January, and ESPN’s Chris Berman, Tom Jackson would board in LA and Theisman, never cleared for First Class. I remember when the White Whale Convention Center was built in the early ’90’s to attract the AMA, the National Board of Realators and the like, wonder if they get jammed with the $50.00, since it’s a Business Expense?
David B says
Recent headline on Babylon Bee:
“To Protest Contributors To Climate Change, Leonardo DiCaprio Glues Self To Self”
In the article:
“When I really thought about it, I realized one of the greatest contributors to global climate change was myself,” said DiCaprio from his 1500-foot coal-powered flying yacht. “That’s why I am taking a stand against myself and demanding that I decrease my utterly obscene carbon footprint! Shame on me!”
Roger S says
This is a prime example that the “GreenFee” shouldn’t be limited to just visitors to the islands.
Jon D says
Aloha Guys-
I don’t know why this would surprise anyone. The hypocrisy of MZ and his ilk is laughable
thanks
terrydabear says
I ppl in HI are concerned abt zuck’s private jet’s climate impacts then a simple solution canceled their FB account, and send notice to the wall st analysts covering meta. If FB went bk zuck couldn’t afford the jet A.I deleted my FB account.
Stevep says
It’s only a ‘climate crisis’ when zealots can make money off the mitigation scams that negatively impact the peons. Hypocrites like Zuck like to virtue signal to their minions in order to pretend they are saving the planet for us. This is why most thinking Americans dismiss this latest scare tactic and go about their lives trying to support their family and live without the faux guilt being imposed by some elitist hypocrites.
Ian C says
He can fly on his private jet, but it won’t fly him away from the affects of global warming that he and his children will be facing. We’re all in the same boat and we all need to act together and accordingly to help the planet.
Stevep says
Tell that to China and India.
Kim M says
He’s clearly a hypocrite, as are many of the wealthy. Equating him with Elon Musk however is unfair. Elon is husting his butt to change the for the better for everyone, while Zuckerborg misuses his creation to censor, propagandize and interfere with elections. Musk gets nothing but lies about him from the corrupt media while Zuckerborg gets a pass.
Kellyp says
He could care less about the climate. Private aircraft are no more secure than a public airport but it is easier to travel