Daily Reports
Three NGOs—Bloom, Alliance Santé Planétaire, and Nuestro Futuro—alongside eight individuals, filed a lawsuit against TotalEnergies on Tuesday in Paris. They accuse the French oil giant, its managers, and certain shareholders of involuntary homicide and biodiversity damage due to their substantial contributions to climate change and its detrimental effects on both human and non-human lives. The complaint, submitted just days before TotalEnergies' annual general meeting, aims to provoke an investigation and ultimately bring the case to trial.
The comprehensive complaint, which spans nearly 100 pages, targets three main offenses: endangering others, abstaining from combating a disaster, and contributing significantly to climate change. Named in the lawsuit are key players, including TotalEnergies' board of directors, CEO Patrick Pouyanné, and major shareholders like BlackRock and Norges Bank. These entities are accused of supporting strategies that are misaligned with climate protection.
The plaintiffs consist of eight survivors and victims of climate change representing various countries such as France, Pakistan, Greece, Belgium, Zimbabwe, Australia, and the Philippines. These individuals have suffered devastating effects from recent cataclysms like the 2022 floods in Pakistan, France’s Storm Alex in 2020, and Zimbabwe’s Cyclone Idai. Among them is Belgian Benjamin B., a 17-year-old environmental activist who bravely attempted to save his friend Rosa during the 2021 European floods.
TotalEnergies is accused of having known about the adverse impact of its activities since 1971 but has allegedly followed a climate-skeptical path to protect its investments in fossil fuels. This has supposedly led to severe environmental repercussions, including biodiversity loss, the destruction of protected coral species in the French West Indies, and the endangerment of the common lizard.
Claire Nouvian, founder of the NGO Bloom, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that allowing TotalEnergies' actions to continue would be akin to conceding to 'globocide.' Despite the International Energy Agency's recommendation to cease new fossil fuel projects post-2021, TotalEnergies has continued developing oil and gas sites worldwide, prioritizing profit over environmental sustainability. Patrick Pouyanné's remarks that he would continue investments due to growing demand, despite scientific advice, amplify the plaintiffs' allegations of cynicism and profit-driven actions.
TotalEnergies is not a stranger to legal scrutiny. The company faces numerous ongoing legal proceedings on climate, environmental, and social grounds, ranging from accusations of 'climaticide' to 'greenwashing' and human rights violations. While the company claims its greenhouse gas emissions—both direct and indirect—comprise around 1% of global emissions and aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, environmental activists contest its sustainability accounting methods.
- The lawsuit against TotalEnergies signifies a growing trend of holding major corporations accountable for their environmental impact. Such legal actions highlight the increasing role of judicial systems in addressing climate change.
- The case stresses the importance of international cooperation and solidarity, as the plaintiffs represent a global community suffering from the effects of climate-related disasters. This legal endeavor may set a precedent for other climate-related lawsuits worldwide.
