TotalEnergies (formerly Total)
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
Updated terminology, February 2021
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
- Details of Organization Score
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What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
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What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
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QUERIES
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DATA SOURCES | |||||||
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Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
EU Register
Information provided by to the voluntary EU Transparency Register. |
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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
1
|
2
|
NS |
1
|
NS |
2
|
1
|
NA |
|
Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action
Is the organization supporting the science-based response to climate change as set out by the IPCC? (the IPCC) |
1
|
1
|
NA |
-1
|
NS |
0
|
NS | NA |
|
Supporting the Need for Regulations
To what extent does the organization express the need for regulatory intervention to resolve the climate crisis? |
0
|
0
|
NS | NS |
1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
|
Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
1
|
1
|
NA |
-1
|
2
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation transparent about its positions on climate change legislation/policy and its activities to influence it? |
-1
|
NA |
1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NS |
|
Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
1
|
-1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
0
|
NS |
0
|
-1
|
1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
|
Energy and Resource Efficiency
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy efficiency policy, standards, and targets |
1
|
-2
|
-1
|
-2
|
NS | NS | NS | NA |
|
Renewable Energy
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy legislation, targets, subsidies, and other policy |
1
|
0
|
-1
|
1
|
0
|
NS | NS | NA |
|
Energy Transition & Zero Carbon Technologies
Is the organization supporting an IPCC-aligned transition of the economy away from carbon-emitting technologies, including supporting relevant policy and legislative measures to enable this transition? |
0
|
0
|
-1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
-1
|
NA |
|
GHG Emission Regulation
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Standards, targets, and other regulatory measures directly targeting Greenhouse Gas emissions |
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
NS | NS | NA |
|
Disclosure on Relationships
Is the organization transparent about its involvement with industry associations that are influencing climate policy, including the extent to which it is aligned with these groups on climate? |
0
|
NS |
0
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NS |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of ACC's board. In Total's 2020 update to its industry association review, the company stated that ACC is now classified as 'Aligned' following its publication of its climate policy principles, judged to be aligned with Total's positions including with regard to the development of renewable energies (the criterion on which it was partially aligned in the 2019 analysis).
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of ACC's board but stated in its 2019 Industry Review that they were only partially aligned with ACC. Specifically, misalignment related to ACC's position on developing renewable energies. Total has decided to remain a member of ACC and states their policy is: 1. Express the points on which we disagree 2. Maintain our commitment to promoting our position 2. Reevaluate our alignment in the future and reassess our membership if necessary.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of the ACC through its petrochemical segment. (Up-to-date. 03/2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of ACC's board. In Total's 2020 update to its industry association review, the company stated that ACC is now classified as 'Aligned' following its publication of its climate policy principles, judged to be aligned with Total's positions including with regard to the development of renewable energies (the criterion on which it was partially aligned in the 2019 analysis).
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of ACC's board but stated in its 2019 Industry Review that they were only partially aligned with ACC. Specifically, misalignment related to ACC's position on developing renewable energies. Total has decided to remain a member of ACC and states their policy is: 1. Express the points on which we disagree 2. Maintain our commitment to promoting our position 2. Reevaluate our alignment in the future and reassess our membership if necessary.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of the ACC through its petrochemical segment. (Up-to-date. 03/2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total participated in the Working Groups on Transportation issues that published the Vision 2050 report (how to best mitigate and reduce GHG emissions of the refining sector and its products). Given Vision 2050 is FuelsEurope primary policy proposal, the relationship score has been adjusted to reflect the importance of this.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a board member of FuelsEurope
Philippe Sauquet
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total participated in the Working Groups on Transportation issues that published the Vision 2050 report (how to best mitigate and reduce GHG emissions of the refining sector and its products). Given Vision 2050 is FuelsEurope primary policy proposal, the relationship score has been adjusted to reflect the importance of this.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a board member of FuelsEurope
Philippe Sauquet
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive, Borrell, of Total is a vice-chair of the Management Committee of the IOGP. Senior exec, Auger, is chair of geomatics committee. Furthermore, in its 2019 CDP response, Total discloses it is an active member of the Energy & Climate wokring group.
Michael Borrell, Frederic Auger
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Total is a vice-chair of the Management Committee of the IOGP.
Michael Borrell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive, Borrell, of Total is a vice-chair of the Management Committee of the IOGP. Senior exec, Auger, is chair of geomatics committee. Furthermore, in its 2019 CDP response, Total discloses it is an active member of the Energy & Climate wokring group.
Michael Borrell, Frederic Auger
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Total is a vice-chair of the Management Committee of the IOGP.
Michael Borrell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Total is on the executive committee of CEFIC. Total also participates in various working groups on Energy and Climate
Bernard Pinatel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Total is on the executive committee of CEFIC and chairs the Audit and Finance Committee.
Bernard Pinatel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Total is on the executive committee of CEFIC. Total also participates in various working groups on Energy and Climate
Bernard Pinatel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Total is on the executive committee of CEFIC and chairs the Audit and Finance Committee.
Bernard Pinatel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Exec is a board member of Eurogas
Philippe Sauquet
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive is a Board Member of Eurogas (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
Laurent Vivier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Exec is a board member of Eurogas
Philippe Sauquet
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive is a Board Member of Eurogas (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
Laurent Vivier
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Total is Chair of SolarPower Europe's Strategy Committee. (up to date 02/2020)
Luc de Marliave
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Total is a board member of SolarPower Europe
Arnaud Chaperon
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Total is Chair of SolarPower Europe's Strategy Committee. (up to date 02/2020)
Luc de Marliave
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Total is a board member of SolarPower Europe
Arnaud Chaperon
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total CEO is a Member of ERT
Patrick Pouyanne
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total CEO is a Member of ERT (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
Patrick Pouyanné
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total CEO is a Member of ERT
Patrick Pouyanne
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total CEO is a Member of ERT (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
Patrick Pouyanné
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from Total subsidiary, Total E&P UK, is a board member of OGUK
Jean-Luc Guiziou
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from Total is a board member of OGUK.
Jean-Luc Guiziou
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from a subsidiary of total is a board member of OGUK
Elisabeth Proust
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from Total subsidiary, Total E&P UK, is a board member of OGUK
Jean-Luc Guiziou
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from Total is a board member of OGUK.
Jean-Luc Guiziou
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from a subsidiary of total is a board member of OGUK
Elisabeth Proust
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
As stated in its Climate Report (Sep 2020), Total maintains its membership in BusinessEurope.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a partner company in the Corporate Advisory and Support Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a partner company in the Corporate Advisory and Support Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
As stated in its Climate Report (Sep 2020), Total maintains its membership in BusinessEurope.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a partner company in the Corporate Advisory and Support Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a partner company in the Corporate Advisory and Support Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of Total Marketing is a member of the MEDEF Executive Committee
Guillaume Larroque
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total has an indirect relationship with MEDEF through the association UFIP, UIC and the French Gas Association (Up-to-date, 02/2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive is a Member of the MEDEF Executive Council (Data refers to 2016)
Philippe Goebel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of Total Marketing is a member of the MEDEF Executive Committee
Guillaume Larroque
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total has an indirect relationship with MEDEF through the association UFIP, UIC and the French Gas Association (Up-to-date, 02/2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Senior Executive is a Member of the MEDEF Executive Council (Data refers to 2016)
Philippe Goebel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total remains a member of APPEA as indicated in its Climate Report published in September 2020.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total lists APPEA as one of its trade groups in its 2019 Trade association review
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Total Subsidiary is a member of APPEA.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of a subsidiary of Total is on the board of APPEA
Petter Undem
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total remains a member of APPEA as indicated in its Climate Report published in September 2020.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total lists APPEA as one of its trade groups in its 2019 Trade association review
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Total Subsidiary is a member of APPEA.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of a subsidiary of Total is on the board of APPEA
Petter Undem
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior exec from Total subsidiary, SunPower Corporation, is the Board Chair of the SEIA Executive Committee.
Tom Starrs
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior exec from Total subsidiary, SunPower Corporation, is the Board Chair of the SEIA Executive Committee.
Tom Starrs
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
CEO of a subsidiary Of Total is a board member of SEIA
Daniel Laure
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior exec from Total subsidiary, SunPower Corporation, is the Board Chair of the SEIA Executive Committee.
Tom Starrs
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior exec from Total subsidiary, SunPower Corporation, is the Board Chair of the SEIA Executive Committee.
Tom Starrs
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
CEO of a subsidiary Of Total is a board member of SEIA
Daniel Laure
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total has listed IATA as one of its trade associations in its 2019 trade association review
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Total, Air Total, is a strategic partner of IATA (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total has listed IATA as one of its trade associations in its 2019 trade association review
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of Total, Air Total, is a strategic partner of IATA (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of IETA
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of IETA (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of IETA
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is a member of IETA (Up-to-date, 03/2019)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is an indirect member of GasNaturally, through its membership of Eurogas and International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Total is an indirect member of GasNaturally, through its membership of Eurogas and International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP)
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: TotalEnergies has communicated more positive top-line positions on certain climate-motivated policies, such as carbon pricing and methane regulations, since 2015, although continues to advocate an energy policy agenda focused on advancing the role of fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, in the energy mix. The company retains membership to a number of powerful trade associations engaged in the active opposition of climate regulations.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020, TotalEnergies confirmed its support for the Paris Agreement and limiting warming to well below 2°C. Furthermore, in 2020, Total has stated support for the EU’s net zero by 2050 emissions target. In its 2020 Climate Report, the company stated it would actively advocate for policies that support net zero, including those that promote growth in renewable energies. Additionally, Total appears to be positively positioned on carbon pricing and has stated that it actively advocates for carbon pricing on its corporate website in 2021.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: TotalEnergies has had some positive engagements with carbon pricing policies. In March 2020, TotalEnergies supported the development of a carbon border adjustment mechanism in the EU, although advocated for the gradual phase out of free allowances and compensation rather than an immediate removal. In contrast to TotalEnergies' positive top line position on carbon pricing, however, in 2020, TotalEnergies signed a joint letter spearheaded by the Business Council of Alberta in Canada, which called for freezing the federal carbon tax in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company also supports the Climate Leadership Council’s carbon dividend in the U.S., which while promoting a carbon price, also calls for regulatory simplification. TotalEnergies appears to have positive engagement with regulations regarding methane emission reductions. In the U.S., Total opposed the Trump Administration’s removal of methane emissions regulation in 2019 and in the EU, the company has advocated in favour of including methane emissions regulation in the EU Green Deal in 2020. This position on methane is tied to TotalEnergies' promotion of gas in the energy mix. TotalEnergies has supported measures that will help substitute coal with new gas generation, such as limiting access to capacity mechanisms to plants emitting 550g CO2/kWH.
TotalEnergies' position on renewable energy legislation appears to be mixed: In its 2019 CDP disclosure, TotalEnergies appeared to opposed separate targets in the EU for renewable energy, however, in 2020 has offered some support to the role of wind energy in the energy mix. Furthermore, on its website in 2021, TotalEnergies has stated it supports policies, initiatives and technologies to promote growth in renewable energies.
Positioning on Energy Transition: TotalEnergies' top-line positioning on the energy mix is more mixed. On the one hand, TotalEnergies has released statements supporting the energy transition, such as in February 2020. On the other hand, TotalEnergies' top-line positioning on the energy mix still promotes the long-term role of gas in particular. In 2020, the company stated that the first challenge of the energy mix was to provide affordable energy and as such, hydrocarbons would still be an important energy source in 20-35 years.
TotalEnergies' position on the energy transition aligns with the company’s broader support for a long-term role for gas in the energy mix. In 2020, TotalEnergies has repeatedly promoted the role of gas in the energy mix, including in its 2020 Climate report, and in a submission to the EU regarding its methane strategy. While TotalEnergies does also support the development and deployment of CCUS and measures to control methane regulations, it does not tie the use of gas to either. In November 2020, TotalEnergies lobbied policymakers in the EU to weaken the emissions limits on sustainable investment criteria in order to include gas. In its 2020 communications, TotalEnergies has also supported the development of biogas, although again without condition regarding the use of CCS.
Industry Association Governance: In 2019, TotalEnergies reviewed 30 of the company’s industry associations’ positions on climate and found only one – American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) – to be ‘Not Aligned’ from the company’s climate positions, and did not renew its membership with AFPM. In TotalEnergies' 2020 update, the company also confirmed it was leaving Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Furthermore, in January 2021, TotalEnergies confirmed it was leaving the American Petroleum Institute, citing insufficient support for methane regulation, the decarbonistation of transport and differing positions on carbon pricing.