Bill Gates' seriously awkward response to being called a climate change hypocrite for flying on a private jet

There is no doubt that in recent years, the discussion surrounding climate change has increased massively as our planet continues to warm up to concerning levels.

Many high-profile names have spoken often about the fight against climate change, including the likes of King Charles.

Another man who is also trying to do his bit is Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who has spoken in the past about ways consumers can drive change with climate-friendly products.

Writing on a Reddit QnA last year, Gates said that if consumers opt to buy more expensive products that contribute less carbon admissions, then a large-scale rollout will commence because of demand.

This will therefore reduce costs and make even more people more likely to buy them.

He said: "As green products come out like electric cars or synthetic meat or heat pumps for home heating/cooling they will cost a bit extra.

"By buying these products you drive scaling up which will lead to lower prices so ‘green premiums’ are reduced."

Luke MacGregor / Alamy Stock Photo

Well, Gates was put on the spot by the BBC in a recent interview when he was asked if he thought he is a hypocrite for frequently using a private jet.

Journalist Amol Rajan caught the billionaire a bit off guard, with Gates responding with a seriously awkward answer.

"What do you say to the charge that if you are a climate change campaigner, but you also travel around the world on a private jet, you're a hypocrite?" the BBC journalist said.

Gates awkwardly replied: "I buy the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family's carbon footprint and I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation."

BBC

Climeworks is a company that uses direct air capture technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over a period of six years, according to Yahoo News.

Gates added: "I spend billions of dollars on ... climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?”

"I’m comfortable with the idea that I am not part of the problem by paying for the offsets.

"Also, from the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group are spending, I’m part of the solution."

Since the interview first aired on BBC News, Gates has received a fair bit of criticism for the response he gave.