Paris Court Hears Climate Case Against TotalEnergies

French court prepares June ruling on TotalEnergies production cuts

A Paris court has concluded two days of hearings in France’s first major climate lawsuit against TotalEnergies. Six environmental groups and the City of Paris want judges to force the oil company to stop new fossil fuel projects and cut production by more than a third to meet the 1.5°C warming limit. The judgment, expected on 25 June 2026, could create binding legal precedent for corporate climate obligations across Europe.

For UK businesses, this case matters beyond France. It tests whether courts can order companies to reduce Scope 3 emissions – the carbon released when customers use your products. That category typically accounts for 90% of a fossil fuel company’s total footprint. If French judges rule that firms must control these downstream emissions, the precedent could spread to other sectors. Transport, manufacturing, and energy-intensive industries would face similar legal pressure to demonstrate how their products align with climate targets.

The case also shows how France’s 2017 duty of vigilance law works in practice. This legislation requires large companies to identify and prevent environmental and human rights risks throughout their operations and supply chains. Several EU member states are now introducing comparable rules. The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive will extend similar obligations across Europe from 2027. UK firms trading with the EU or operating European subsidiaries need to understand how these laws apply to climate risk.

Six claimants challenge expansion plans under French law

The lawsuit began in 2020 when six claimants filed against TotalEnergies. The coalition includes Notre Affaire à Tous, Sherpa, France Nature Environnement, ZEA, Les Eco Maires, and the Paris municipal government. They rely on two legal foundations: France’s duty of vigilance law and Article 1252 of the French Civil Code. The latter allows courts to order preventive measures against imminent damage to the environment.

TotalEnergies ranks among the world’s six oil and gas supermajors. It also sits within the top 20 historical emitters globally. The claimants argue the company has known about fossil fuel climate risks since the 1970s. Despite this knowledge, TotalEnergies plans 3% annual growth in hydrocarbon production through 2030. Two-thirds of its investments still go to oil and gas projects.

This strategy contradicts the scientific consensus. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states clearly that no new fossil fuel projects can proceed if the world is to limit warming to 1.5°C. Analysis links TotalEnergies to 30 expansion projects that would consume more than half the remaining carbon budget for that temperature target. The company’s current trajectory aligns with warming well above 2°C.

The Paris Court of Justice held hearings on 19 and 20 February 2026. The case was heard before the court’s 34th chamber. Two IPCC climate scientists, Valérie Masson-Delmotte and Céline Guivarch, appeared as expert witnesses. Their testimony focused on the physical science basis for limiting warming and the emissions reductions required from major producers.

French prosecutors unexpectedly intervened to support TotalEnergies. They argued that climate change falls outside the scope of the duty of vigilance law. This position surprised legal observers, as prosecutors rarely take sides in civil cases. The intervention strengthened the company’s defence but also attracted criticism from environmental lawyers.

Claimants demand production cuts and daily fines

The claimants presented four core demands to the court. First, they want TotalEnergies to halt all new hydrocarbon exploration and extraction projects immediately. Second, they seek a 37% cut in oil production and a 25% reduction in gas production by 2030. Third, they demand alignment of all emissions categories with 1.5°C pathways. This includes Scope 1 and 2 emissions from operations, plus Scope 3 emissions from product use.

Fourth, they request a daily fine of €24 million for non-compliance after a six-month deadline. This figure represents 0.01% of TotalEnergies’ average revenue. The fine would accumulate until the company meets the court’s requirements. Consequently, the financial pressure would mount over time.

Scope 3 emissions dominate TotalEnergies’ carbon footprint. These downstream emissions occur when customers burn the oil and gas they purchase. For TotalEnergies, Scope 3 releases approximately 342 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. That represents roughly 90% of the company’s total climate impact. However, it also creates the central legal dispute.

TotalEnergies argues it cannot control Scope 3 emissions. Its lawyer, Denis Chemla, asked the court: