Mark Zuckerberg is back in the spotlight, and not for anything tech-related.
Instead, it’s his enormous superyacht that’s stirring up online outrage.
The Facebook (now Meta) CEO, who often speaks about climate responsibility, is facing pointed criticism after details about his ship’s staggering fuel use surfaced.
A Billionaire’s Boat With a Giant Appetite
The 41-year-old billionaire, whose fortune hovers around $230 billion, launched his 387-foot yacht—named Launchpad—in 2024.
Since then, reports say the vessel has been guzzling diesel at astonishing levels.
Powered by four engines, the yacht reportedly burns nearly 300 gallons of fuel every hour, releasing around 40 tons of carbon dioxide in that same span.
For someone known to champion climate-forward policies and global climate agreements, these numbers have not gone unnoticed.
Critics Call Out Climate Contradictions
Social media users didn’t hold back. Videos of the yacht cruising near Florida sparked comments accusing Zuckerberg of saying one thing about climate action but living another.
One user joked that “Net Zero is only for the peasants,” while another lamented that regular people are pushed to adopt greener habits while billionaires enjoy diesel-burning luxuries.
Some called the yacht the ultimate symbol of double standards, particularly because Zuckerberg has put more than $100 million toward climate-related philanthropic efforts.
Silence From Meta as Questions Grow
As the story gained traction, requests for comment were directed to Meta and Zuckerberg’s team. At the time of reporting, no response had yet been issued.
The Truth Behind the Fuel Numbers
For many critics, the yacht itself was only part of the controversy. The ship doesn’t travel alone.
It’s trailed by a massive $30 million support vessel named Wingman, which houses everything from small boats to a mini-submarine and even a helicopter.
Together, these vessels burned an estimated 528,000 gallons of diesel in the nine months following Launchpad’s debut, according to Greek Reporter.
That level of fuel consumption translates to over 5,300 tons of carbon emissions—roughly what nearly 400 average U.S. households produce in a year.
A Clash With His Own Climate Messaging
These revelations hit harder because they clash so dramatically with Zuckerberg’s prior public stance.
Back in 2017, he condemned the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, insisting the move was harmful to the planet, the economy, and future generations.
He stressed that fighting climate change required collective global action before it was “too late.”
A Wider Pattern of Climate Controversy
The criticism aimed at Zuckerberg isn’t happening in a vacuum.
Climate advocates in other sectors have also faced scrutiny.
Recently, environmental leaders were blasted for clearing part of the Amazon Rainforest to make room for COP30—a massive climate conference in Brazil.
Roughly 100,000 trees were removed to build infrastructure for the event, a decision that drew sharp rebukes, including a public jab from former President Trump, who called the situation a scandal.
Big Tech’s Climate Promises Continue
Despite the backlash, companies like Meta, Apple, and Google say they’re still committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2030. Amazon has set its own deadline for 2040.
Meta attended the COP30 event, even though the U.S. government’s official delegation—under the Trump Administration—did not.
Zuckerberg himself opted not to appear at the summit.
What Comes Next
Whether the criticism will push Zuckerberg to respond publicly or adjust his travel habits remains to be seen.
For now, the debate over luxury emissions versus climate advocacy continues, and his superyacht has become the newest focal point in that ongoing conversation.
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