Press release

TotalEnergies dealt another blow in Court – ClientEarth lawyer reaction

25 June 2026

In a landmark decision, a Paris Court has today ordered TotalEnergies to bring the emissions of its products (Scope 3 emissions) into its sustainability due diligence plan, ending years of attempts by the company to disclaim responsibility for the largest part of its climate impact.

The French oil giant has 6 months to reissue the due diligence plan. It must set out measures to reduce the serious risks and harms its products were found to cause the environment and human rights.

The Court’s oversight of TotalEnergies’ actions is likely to continue – as the judge said it will review the measures when the new plan is issued.

Reacting to the ruling, ClientEarth lawyer Johnny White said: “The timing is impossible to miss: as Europe is suffering through another unprecedented heatwave, one of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies has once again lost in court.

“Today's judgment adds to a growing body of decisions recognising that the few companies most responsible for driving climate breakdown can be held responsible for their part in climate harms.

“The ruling also confirms that these companies are responsible for the impacts their high-carbon business has on human rights – and due diligence legislation requires they act to mitigate these harms.

“Boardrooms should take note: courts will step in, and litigation risks are real and growing. Long-term decarbonisation strategy should prevail over short-term delay tactics."

ENDS

Notes to editors:
  • The case was brought by NGOs Notre Affaire à Tous, Sherpa, France Nature Environnement and the city of Paris.
  • Last year, another Court ruling found the company had misled consumers by presenting itself as a “major player in the energy transition”
About ClientEarth

ClientEarth works in over 60 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. We shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive. 

We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world.