French Oil Major Failed to Fulfill ‘Vigilance’ Duty on Climate, Paris Court Rules
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- The decision marked the first time that a French multinational corporation has been held liable under the 2017 law for failing to meet its obligations regarding climate-related risk.
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Republish The Total Energies Antwerp refinery in May 2026. Credit: Jonas Roosens / BELGA MAG / Belga / AFP via Getty Images Related U.N. General Assembly Embraces Court Opinion That Says Nations Have a Legal Obligation to Take Climate Action As Vermont Defends Its Law to Make Fossil Fuel Firms Pay for Climate Adaptation, the Bill Is Already Coming Due The Latest Front in the Battle Over Climate Lawsuits: Bills Wiping Out Liability Share This Article Republish Most Popular As Colorado River States Struggle to Reach Agreement, New Mexico Brings on a Fresh Voice A Pipeline Company Says It Will Protect the Environment in North Carolina. Its Record in Tennessee Says Otherwise. How a Tiny Texas River Agency Plans to Build the Largest Desalination Plant in the Country A French court on Thursday ruled that the oil major TotalEnergies must take responsibility for the full scope of greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain—including emissions from customers’ use of its products.
The company’s failure to account for these indirect, “Scope 3” emissions that constitute the vast majority of its contribution to dangerous warming is a violation of its obligation under France’s landmark duty of vigilance law, the court found.
The decision marked the first time that a French multinational corporation has been held liable under the 2017 law for failing to meet its obligations regarding climate-related risk. Climate advocates celebrated the ruling.