Australian tech billionaire and climate activist Mike Cannon-Brookes has defended his company’s sponsorship of the Williams Formula 1 team and his use of a private jet, emphasizing the need for pragmatic trade-offs in the pursuit of sustainability.

Australian billionaire and ardent climate change campaigner Mike Cannon-Brookes has defended his purchase of a ritzy new private jet, admitting to a “deep internal conflict” over the carbon-heavy method of travel.

Brookes, co-founder of Atlassian, defended his private jet purchase and Williams F1 team sponsorship citing business and family needs. He admitted a 'deep internal conflict' over jet emissions but emphasized carbon offsetting efforts making his flights 'net negative' in carbon terms.

The billionaire Atlassian co-founder says he bought the Bombardier 7500 for security reasons and his flights have a “net negative carbon footprint”.

Billionaire private jet use has been in the spotlight in recent months. Mike Cannon-Brookes acknowledged a "deep internal conflict" on buying one.