How far is too far of a commute? To most, an over 1,000-mile gap across state lines is unthinkable, but evidently not all. New Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has drawn national attention with his company provided private jet meant for travel between his California home and Seattle headquarters.  

Previously, Niccol was CEO of both Chipotle and Taco Bell, but neither position has garnered as much controversy as the Starbucks deal. Of course, Niccol not having to relocate for his new job isn’t the only reason he has a private jet. He plans to spend the first 100 days on the job meeting with suppliers and preparing the changes he wants to make to the company. He also plans to visit Starbucks locations himself, necessitating a lot of travel. 

Still, many are concerned about the environmental impact of his regular use of a private jet. It’s no secret that plane travel contributes to the carbon dioxide emissions that a growing number of people seek to reduce. It’s also worth mentioning that Starbucks has made an intentional effort to be more environmentally friendly, from serving drinks with paper straws to using disposable cups with less plastic. These choices are a part of its brand as much as any coffee blend or Frappuccino. To go from that to providing its CEO with a private jet sends a confusing message as to what the corporation is trying to do.