Starbucks’ incoming CEO, Brian Niccol, is facing environmental criticisms 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.
Starbucks will also offer Niccol, who was the former CEO of Chipotle, a “small remote office in Newport Beach, as well as an “assistant of your choosing for such office”.
Starbucks added that this “office location will be maintained at the expense of the company”.
“The new Starbucks CEO is ‘supercommuting’ 1,000 miles to Seattle on a private jet to work, so don’t be too harsh on that waitress who gave you a plastic straw when you didn’t want one,” one user wrote on X.
Meanwhile, someone else said, “NPR reported the new @Starbucks CEO will commute from his So.
Cal home to Seattle & back on the corporate jet three times a week.
No company who truly cares about the climate would agree to this.” Another user echoed similar sentiments, writing, “If this man is commuting regularly on a private jet, do not let @Starbucks convince you they are environmentally conscious.
The Guardian has reached out to Starbucks for comment.
Following the company’s offer for him to commute by private jet from his home in Newport Beach, California to the company’s headquarters in Seattle rather than relocate, the company’s new CEO, Brian Niccol, is coming under fire from environmental groups.
“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 necessary to perform your duties and responsibilities,” Starbucks stated in its offer letter to Niccol. “.
According to the company’s hybrid work policies, Niccol will be required to work from Starbucks’ Seattle office at least three days a week, a representative for the company told CNBC.
In addition, Starbucks is going to provide Niccol, the former CEO of Chipotle, with a “assistant of your choosing for such office” and a “small remote office in Newport Beach.”. The company will pay for the upkeep of this “office location,” according to Starbucks.
People were quick to criticize Niccol’s super commute after hearing about it, pointing out that the company’s use of private jets seemed contradictory to its environmental initiatives, which also included a ban on plastic straws.
One user commented on X, saying, “Don’t be too harsh on that waitress who gave you a plastic straw when you didn’t want one. The new Starbucks CEO is’supercommuting’ 1,000 miles to Seattle on a private jet to work.”.
Another commenter said, “Absolutely wild that they’ll just let him thrash the environment to commute 1000 miles three times a week on a corporate jet instead of having him move to the PNW,” alluding to the Pacific Northwest. It cost $85 million in cash and stock to pry this guy from Chipotle.
“NPR reported that the new CEO of Starbucks will commute from his So,” another person said in the meantime. Three times a week, Cal takes the corporate jet home to Seattle and back. What a bunch of phony environmentalists masquerading as environmentalists. A company that is genuinely concerned about the environment would never consent to this. “.
“If this man is regularly commuting on a private jet, do not let @Starbucks convince you they are environmentally conscious,” wrote another user, echoing similar sentiments. While they criticize us commoners for driving cars, the environmental damage caused by private aircraft and yachts is far greater per unit. “.
A study published by Oxfam a year ago claims that the 0 percent has a carbon footprint that is 77 times larger than the upper limit necessary for global warming to peak at 1.5C, even with their use of private planes and superyachts. Furthermore, a 2021 report by the European Federation for Transport and Environment found that private jets pollute up to 14 times more per passenger than commercial aircraft and 50 times more than trains.
Starbucks has been contacted by The Guardian for comment.
