BBC admits it was 'awkward' to send a plane for interview with climate activist Greta Thunberg

A BBC editor has admitted it was 'awkward' a presenter had been sent by plane to interview climate activist Greta Thunberg, who famously eschews air travel.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg listens to speeches before addressing the conference. Source: AP

Putting a presenter on a flight to Sweden to meet climate activist Greta Thunberg "felt awkward", the editor of BBC Radio 4's Today program has admitted.

The campaigner, who was a "guest editor" on a special edition of the show, avoids air travel because of its environmental impact.

The BBC sent presenter Mishal Husain on a return flight to Stockholm to interview her.

Program editor Sarah Sands told the Sunday Times: "We did discuss that among ourselves. It felt awkward but we did not have the time for trains or boats".

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg holds a sign with writing reading in Swedish "School strike for the climate" as she attends a climate march. Source: AAP

The paper said the trip to Stockholm is estimated to have amounted to almost half a ton of carbon dioxide emissions per person.

Ms Thunberg started a series of school strikes for the climate, which have since spread all over the world to involve more than 100,000 schoolchildren.

The 16-year-old has taken a stand against more polluting forms of transport by sailing rather than flying or travelling in cars.

Ms Thunberg arrived in New York in August after a 15-day, 3,000-mile voyage across the Atlantic to take part in a UN climate summit.

But Ms Sands said: "Greta is not actually judgmental towards individuals, accepting that other people will not all conform to her high standards and asking only for people to do what they can."