French Court Orders TotalEnergies to Include Client Emissions in Climate Plan
In a landmark ruling, a French court has ordered energy giant TotalEnergies to account for its clients' emissions in its climate plan, marking the first application of France's Corporate Duty of Vigilance law to climate change.
France's judiciary has issued a groundbreaking decision concerning climate change, requiring energy corporation TotalEnergies to incorporate in its climate strategy the emissions produced by its customers. This marks the first instance where the French Corporate Duty of Vigilance law has been invoked in relation to climate matters.
The ruling is historic because it expands the scope of corporate accountability for climate impact. Previously, TotalEnergies, like many large firms, focused its climate planning on direct emissions from its own operations. Now, the court has mandated that indirect emissions from the use of its products — meaning client-generated emissions — must also be considered.
The lawsuit was brought by several non-governmental organizations, including Notre Affaire à Tous. The decision is based on a 2017 law requiring large companies to identify and mitigate risks related to human rights and environmental harm within their supply chains and activities. This is the first application of this law specifically to climate change.
Analysts suggest this ruling could set a precedent for other countries and encourage similar legal actions against other major polluters. TotalEnergies has not yet publicly responded to the verdict, but it is anticipated that the company may appeal the decision.
