TotalEnergies to appeal French court decision ordering it to adapt its business to climate change

By America Hernandez

PARIS, July 27 - French oil major TotalEnergies will appeal a Paris court decision ordering it to bring its business in line with climate change goals.

The first-of-its-kind French ruling had found Total was responsible for the planet-warming emissions released when customers use its fuel products, under France's corporate duty of vigilance law, and was seen as a victory for the climate campaigners who filed the suit.

Climate litigation against oil majors has produced mixed results in recent years. A landmark Dutch ruling ordering Shell to cut emissions was later overturned on appeal and is under review by the Netherlands Supreme Court.

"The company considers, in line with the position taken by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in these proceedings, that climate change, as a global phenomenon, does not fall within the scope of the duty of vigilance law," TotalEnergies said in a statement. 

"Imposing companies in energy, defense, aeronautics, or automotive sectors to control risks resulting from the use of their products by their customers does not appear to be consistent with the objectives of the law, or the principles of legal certainty and freedom to conduct business," it added.

Once filed, TotalEnergies will argue its case before the Paris Court of Appeal. 

(Reporting by America Hernandez in Paris, Editing by Louise Heavens)