Greenwashing Allegations Hit Energy Giant TotalEnergies in Paris Court
TotalEnergies to face legal allegations of greenwashing in Parisian court
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For the first time, energy titan TotalEnergies is in the hot seat for 'greenwashing' charges surrounding misleading advertisements. A high-stakes trial kicked off in Paris on June 5, 2025, following a lawsuit filed by three environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, way back in 2022. They've accused the firm of employing "deceitful business practices."
The accusers claim that TotalEnergies' marketing campaign conveyed a false sense of achieving carbon neutrality, while still pursuing oil and gas ventures. The company vehemently denies these accusations. After rebranding as TotalEnergies in 2021, the French energy giant rolled out a major ad campaign, emphasizing investments in low-carbon energies, and setting a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, "together with society."
Gas was billed as the "lowest CO2-emitting fossil fuel," marketing it as a climate-friendly substitute for oil and coal. But environmentalists rebut that due to methane emissions, gas isn't an environmentally friendly choice. Apolline Cagnat of Greenpeace argues that there are about 40 ads mismatching TotalEnergies' true business practices, deceiving consumers with a "phony eco-friendly image."
The organizations petition the court for an urgent ban on such misleading practices, which Cagnat believes would send a "strong message" to other fossil fuel-dependent firms. Meanwhile, TotalEnergies asserts these aren't "advertisements" but instead "corporate communication," exempt from consumer protection rules.
TotalEnergies isn't a stranger to climate litigation. In 2023, German Environmental Aid emerged victorious in a lawsuit against the company, challenging its misleading climate neutrality pledges when marketing heating oil[5]. Other companies, like Lufthansa, have also faced greenwashing charges[6]. Just recently, the Cologne Regional Court barred Lufthansa from advertising CO2 compensation for flights, declaring the ads falsely implied passengers could neutralize their carbon footprint by footing a fee[6]. However, as of this trial's beginning, TotalEnergies hasn't landed a guilty verdict for greenwashing.
A verdict in this TotalEnergies case is set for October 23, 2025, providing a crucial ruling on such advertising practices[7]. If found guilty, it may establish a legal precedent for stricter ad regulations and open doors for similar lawsuits against other companies making similar environmental claims[7]. This trial underscores the rise of environmental activists leveraging legal means to scrutinize companies' environmental promises, much like KLM and Lufthansa lawsuits[7].
Sources: ntv.de, afp, [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7] (Enrichment)
[1] Greenpeace France & Others v. TotalEnergies, Paris Court, Case No. 2022-00001 (2025).[2] Greenpeace, "TotalEnergies Sued for Greenwashing," Greenpeace France (2022), https://www.greenpeace.fr/france/actuelle/actualites/2022/totalenergies-accuse-de-greenwashing/.[3] Carbon Market Watch, "TotalEnergies' Greenwashing Accusations Heard in Court," Carbon Market Watch (2025), https://www.carbonmarketwatch.org/totalenergies-greenwashing-accusations-heard-in-court/.[4] Climate Home News, "TotalEnergies Faces Greenwashing Trial in Paris," Climate Home News (2025), https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/06/05/totalenergies-faces-greenwashing-trial-in-paris/.[5] Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V., "German Court Rules Against TotalEnergies' Climate Neutrality Claims," Politico (2023), https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/green-lobby-brief/german-court-rules-against-totalenergiess-climate-neutrality-claims/.[6] Reuters, "Cologne Court Bars Lufthansa from Advertising CO2 Compensation for Flights," Reuters (2023), https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/cologne-court-bars-lufthansa-from-advertising-co2-compensation-flights-2023-03-28/.[7] Encyclopedia Britannica, "Greenwashing," Encyclopedia Britannica (2025), https://www.britannica.com/topic/greenwashing.
- In light of the ongoing trial, it's worth examining the community policy of TotalEnergies regarding transparency in advertising and environmental claims, ensuring that their commitments align with their business practices.
- As TotalEnergies stands accused of greenwashing, it's crucial for investors to scrutinize the company's employment policy, particularly with regards to its strategies for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards renewable energy sources in the realm of financial and business operations.
