NGOs threaten legal challenge to TotalEnergies over Russia business

Paris, March 16 - Neftegaz.RU. The French company has said it will no longer buy Russian crude, but has continued to hold its stakes in a number of energy projects.
Most particularly, it has a 20% stake in Russian gas independent NOVATEK and is involved in major LNG projects.

The 2 NGOs noted that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine makes such investments untenable.
A letter addressed to Total CEO Patrick Pouyanné warned that a commercial relationship with Russia will «likely fuel the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms».

In particular, they noted that Total was subject to France’s duty of vigilance law, from 2017.
Greenpeace and Amis de la Terre said this imposed a «general obligation of care» on the energy company.

If business relationships contribute to human rights violation, particularly in armed conflicts, with no mitigation, «the only reasonable and vigilant behaviour to adopt is to suspend or terminate these business relationships».

This is not the 1^st time Total has faced a challenge under the duty of vigilance law.
Environmental NGOs are fighting the French company in the courts over investments in East Africa.

At the same time, Total is «clearly in an established commercial relationship» with NOVATEK, Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2.
The French company also has a 20% stake in the Kharyaga field. Norway’s Equinor had a 30% stake.
However, it is relinquishing it.

Amis de la Terre and Greenpeace said that Total’s continued involvement «contributes, at least financially, to Russian aggression in Ukraine».

French Secretary of State for Europe Clément Beaune said any corporate involvement in Russia was «problematic».
France is talking to all big businesses working in Russia, he said.


Author: Ed Reed