Jeff Bezos’s upcoming wedding promises to be an extravagant affair, but it also raises concerns about the environmental impact due to carbon emissions.
Celebrity weddings are known for their lavishness, featuring high-profile guests and opulent décor. However, Bezos’s wedding will stand out because of the significant use of private jets, setting it apart from typical weddings.
Controversy has arisen around the rumored cost of the wedding and the fact that protesters have expressed dissatisfaction over reports of Bezos ‘renting’ out an entire city. Now, the focus has shifted to the environmental footprint of such an event.
Bezos and Lauren Sanchez got engaged in May 2023 and are reportedly planning to get married this week.
The wedding is said to take place in Venice, Italy, on June 27, with anticipated guests including Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Mick Jagger, and Ivanka Trump.
While initial reports suggested a $600 million budget for the wedding, Bezos has denied this. More recent estimates suggest the cost will be between $15 million to $20 million, according to Mail Online.
This significant expenditure likely excludes transportation for guests, many of whom will be arriving in private jets. It’s estimated that the carbon emissions from these jets equal the daily emissions of 27,300 cars.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency states a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of CO2 annually. Breaking this down, it equates to 12.6 kg of CO2 per day.
Italian publication Affaritaliani reports that approximately 96 private jets will land for the three-day wedding event.
A 2024 study shows private aviation contributes significantly to climate change, with about 3.6 tonnes of CO2 emitted per flight.
By multiplying 3.6 tonnes by the 96 anticipated flights, we arrive at a total of 354 tonnes (or 345,000 kg) of CO2 emissions.
Dividing this figure by the daily emissions of a car (12.6 kg) gives us the equivalent of 27,300 cars.
This calculation highlights the substantial environmental impact of a three-day celebration, not even accounting for return flights.