The most polluting man on the planet?

Back in June, I wondered just who might have plonked down $300 million for an Airbus double-decker private jet for his own personal use. Airbus wouldn't peep about the purchase, which occurred during this summer's Paris air show.

Today, Le Figaro outed Russian oil baron Roman Abramovich as the mystery buyer. At 239 feet, Roman's new A380 private jet isn't quite as long as the soccer pitches his Chelsea club plays on in the UK, but it's not far off. And if the world's 16th-richest man is going to be flying around in an 840-seater with a few of his billionaire pals, it just might make him the most emissions-unfriendly person on the planet. I mean, he'd pretty much have to buy the entire rain forest to go "carbon neutral" on this one.

One other item of note: Abramovich, a man of impeccable taste, dubbed his 86-meter yacht the "Ecstasea". Perhaps his new A380 will be called the "Airgasm"?

UPDATE: According to Mr. Abramovich's spokesman, Le Figaro's report yesterday was inaccurate and Mr. Abramovich is not the mystery buyer of the private A380. That means the title of world's most polluting man is still ripe for the taking. Clues: The buyer is not American, European, or Roman Abramovich. We'll keep you updated.