Articles by Tom Richardson

Technology

Atlassian: Jet-setting, job growth push Australian tech company 135 per cent over travel emissions goal

Business travel related carbon emissions have soared 135 per cent above target at Atlassian, the homegrown tech company co-founded by Sydneysider and climate warrior Mike Cannon-Brookes. In its 2025 Sustainability Report released on Monday, the $61 billion software giant blamed the emissions target failure on soaring staff numbers and rejected the idea it was linked to Mr Cannon-Brookes using a private jet to travel the world. The report declared the “open company, no bullshit” truth is that a larger staff count equals a larger carbon footprint, with emissions per staff member falling 38 per cent since 2019. Total emissions grew 13 per cent year-over-year between 2019 and 2025. “In other words, company growth has outpaced emissions growth. Updates to our business travel policy and travel guidance for Atlassians were a move in the right direction,” the report said. “But as travel emissions continue to rise . . . we must do more.” The report does not detail any increase in travel emissions as a result of Mr Cannon-Brookes using a private jet from its purchase believed to be at an unknown time in 2025. Mr Cannon-Brookes has previously said he needs a private jet to help run his business and be present as a dad to his Australia-based children. The tech company is also a major sponsor of British Formula 1 motor racing team Atlassian Williams, with Mr Cannon-Brookes previously suggesting the motorsport popular with jet-setters is also working towards net zero targets. Atlassian has run its office on 100 per cent renewable electricity since the 2020 financial year and said it would set new targets for business travel emissions in fiscal 2026. It’s set to move into a new Atlassian Central headquarters near Sydney’s central business district it says will run on 100 per cent renewable energy and be constructed with half the usual required carbon outputs. It says it incorporates the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040 into all of its policies and actively prefers business partners or suppliers who it rates as climate friendly. It has also been a strong supporter of work from home policies under its “Team Anywhere” rules, which give employees significant flexibility in choosing where they want to work from almost anywhere in the world. Strong growth Over the 12 months to June 30, 2025, the software company posted an adjusted net profit up 30 per cent to $US975.9 million on sales up around 20 per cent to $US5.2 billion. It expects sales to grow another 20 per cent over the 12 months to June 30 as it invests heavily in delivering new products based on developments in artificial intelligence. Shares in the Nasdaq-listed tech business have tumbled 38 per cent over the past year as investors worry it may be a net loser from advances in AI that could reduce demand for its existing software and workflow platforms. However, Mr Cannon-Brookes has dismissed this idea as nonsense and has repeatedly argued his company can use AI to improve its products and grow profits.