Mike Cannon-Brooks is the co-founder and CEO of Australian software company Atlassian.
Australian tech billionaire and climate activist Mike Cannon-Brookes Having defended his company’s sponsorship of Williams Formula One team and his use of private jets, it underscores the need for pragmatic trade-offs in the pursuit of sustainability.
Cannon Brookes, Co-founder and CEO of Collaborative Software Atlasrissaid in LinkedIn postal Thursday. “And we know that climate is not a zero-sum game.”
His concerns about Atlassian's collaboration with Williams Racing said he recognized the irony of sponsoring the fuel-intensive movement, while advocating for sustainability and expressed his commitment to achieve net zero emissions by Formula One 1 to 2030.
He noted that the sport's governing bodies have shown ongoing efforts to sustainability, stressing that starting next year, F1 cars will be half-powered by electric motors and operate sustainable fuels. “F1 can set a global example for sustainability in sports, and I believe this will,” Cannon-Brookes said.
Last month, Atlassian announced a major partnership with Williams Racing in the UK, the largest deal in the team's 48-year history. Although no financial details were disclosed, the struggling F1 team (No. 9 in the 10th place in the rankings last year) will now compete under the name of Atlassian Williams Racing. The season opener of F1 will begin this weekend in Melbourne, Australia.
Cannon-Brookes also addressed criticism of his private jet use and acknowledged internal conflicts on the issue. While acknowledging private aviation is a carbon-intensive way of travel, he said he needs to commit to personal safety and family.
The billionaire has reportedly acquired the Bombardier Global 7500, a long-range private jet capable of flying from Sydney to Detroit on a single trip. With the jet plane, “I can run a global business from Australia and remain a father who is constantly attending,” Cannon Brooks said.
Cannon-Brookes has a net worth of $13.9 billion Forbes' Real-time data. Through his private investment tool, Grok Ventures, he has been increasing investment in renewable energy and funding philanthropic efforts to combat climate change. Sun Cable, one of his company, is building a $30 billion ($20 billion) submarine cable that will provide solar power from Darwin to Singapore.
