French Oil Major Failed to Fulfill ‘Vigilance’ Duty on Climate, Paris Court Rules

A French court ruled on Thursday that TotalEnergies must be held accountable for the entirety of its greenhouse gas emissions, including those generated by the use of its products by consumers. This decision, stemming from a climate case against the oil major, mandates that TotalEnergies cannot deflect responsibility by attributing emissions solely to end-users. The ruling emphasizes the company's obligation to address emissions across its entire supply chain, a significant development in corporate climate accountability. The court's judgment requires TotalEnergies to implement a comprehensive vigilance plan, which must include measures to prevent and mitigate the environmental and human rights impacts associated with its operations and the use of its energy products. This legal precedent sets a new standard for corporate environmental responsibility, potentially influencing future climate litigation against other major corporations. The ruling is a victory for environmental advocacy groups that have been pushing for greater corporate accountability on climate change.