The Darwin Climax Coalitions, Sea Shepherd France, Wild Legal and Stop Total in Uganda said on October 2 that they had filed a complaint at the Nanterre Magistrate’s Court against the “climate-killing action of TotalEnergies”. They criticize the French group for approving more fossil energy projects for the 2022-2025 period than any other giant in the sector, including the $3.5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda to aid the East African country. to export its oil to international markets.
“Given the climate emergency and the planetary issues that result from it, it is no longer possible for companies driven by the vision of short-term profit to continue to halt everyone’s future with impunity,” the director of Sea Shepherd France said in the report. Press Release. “Acknowledging Total’s criminal responsibility for its climate-killing strategy is a huge step forward towards necessary climate justice, which is the only way to stop this phenomenon,” added Lamya Essemlali.
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The four associations accuse TotalEnergies of “inability to fight the disaster”, “involuntary murder”, “involuntary attacks on personal integrity” and “destruction or damage to property belonging to others that would create a danger to people.
A complaint filed on September 22 at Nanterre Magistrates’ Court could lead to a formal investigation.
A spokeswoman for TotalEnergies said the group had not been informed of the complaint. “The company conducts its operations in accordance with its operating standards and laws and regulations,” it said in an email, adding that TotalEnergies would respond to authorities’ requests if necessary.
According to Human Rights Watch, the EACOP project, in which TotalEnergies holds a 62% stake, has “devastated” the lives of thousands of people who have been delayed or inadequately compensated for their land. The NGO also estimated that the project was a disaster for the planet because it would release emissions that would intensify climate change.
TotalEnergies rejected HRW’s allegations made in July and assured that it will respect all the rights of those affected by the project.
With Reuters (Juliette Jabkhiro and Dominique Vidalon, Writing by Jean Terzian, Editing by Kate Entringer)