TotalEnergies Greenwashing Case: French Court Rules on Misleading Sustainability Claims

The TotalEnergies greenwashing case is the latest addition to the Climate Court Litigation Database, offering a critical look at corporate accountability in France’s energy sector. Environmental groups challenged TotalEnergies and its subsidiary, TotalEnergies Electricité et Gaz France, over statements claiming the company was committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and being a major player in the energy transition, arguing that these communications were misleading and could deceive consumers.

In its decision, the Paris Judicial Court focused on the tension between corporate sustainability statements and actual operational practices, with the Court finding that certain messages overstated the company’s climate commitments. The litigation also touches on France’s duty of vigilance framework, as plaintiffs argued that inaccurate public claims could undermine efforts to combat climate change. While the court found some communications misleading, it did not uphold all claims.

This decision marks a significant moment in French climate litigation, showing that courts are willing to apply increased judicial scrutiny of corporate climate claims and reinforcing that public statements must reflect verifiable actions. For companies, the ruling signifies that there are legal consequences tied to greenwashing.

As the latest addition to Climate Court, this case entry includes full access to filings, court decisions, and legal analysis. To explore the details of the ruling, examine key arguments, and understand its broader implications for corporate accountability and climate law, visit the database and access the TotalEnergies case directly.

Explore all plans to access the Climate Court litigation tools here.