TotalEnergies misled consumers by referring to its ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 in its communications and about being a major actor of the energy transition after changing its name from Total in 2021, a Paris court ruled today.
The court ruled that by talking about carbon neutrality goals consumers could think TotalEnergies was referring to scientific advice aligned with the Paris agreement, which recommends cutting fossil fuel energy production.
By using "this terminology without telling consumers that the group had its own scenario to reach carbon neutrality and that it continued to increase its production and investments in oil and gas, contrary to the scientific expert's advice aligned on the Paris agreement, the company has made environmental claims likely to mislead consumers", the court ruled.
TotalEnergies will have to stop the misleading communication, the court said, or face fines. It will also need to publish the court's decision.
The court dismissed other greenwashing claims relating to natural gas and biofuels.
"TotalEnergies takes note of the judgment of the Paris judicial court which rejected most of the claims made against [the company]," TotalEnergies said, noting the ruling only applies to paragraphs on the firm's website and not to previous or present advertising campaigns on electricity and gas sales to end-users.
Environmental groups Notre Affaire A Tous, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth described the ruling as "historical", saying it marks a change for consumer protections.
"By recognising that Total's communications are misleading consumers, the French justice system is finally tackling the impunity Total has enjoyed for fossil fuel greenwashing," said Notre Affaire a Tous climate campaign lead Justine Ripoll. "It is sending a clear message: climate disinformation is not an acceptable business strategy".
TotalEnergies' net power production increased by 28pc on the year in the second quarter to 11.6TWh, driven by growth in renewable energy production and by a 2024 acquisition of flexible gas capacities in the UK. The firm targets 35GW of gross installed renewable capacity by the end of this year and 100GW by 2030.
The company plans to boost oil and gas production by more than 3pc/yr through to the end of this decade following the start-up of new projects, with 95pc of expected output in 2030 either already up and running or under development.
