“Total, climate criminal.” The general meeting of TotalEnergies was held under high tension, behind closed doors and online on Wednesday, May 25. The entrance to the room was blocked by environmental protesters, de facto allies of certain shareholders determined to influence the climate plan of the French oil giant.
Despite numerous security guards and police officers, around 200 environmental NGO activists – including Greenpeace, Alternatiba, ANV Cop 21 and Friends of the Earth – succeeded in blocking the main access to the Salle Pleyel, being challenged or even insulted by some blocked shareholders. “Die and don’t piss off”, for example dropped a shareholder to an activist in front of the entrance to the room.
ONGOING ACTION
Activists from @friendsoftheearth, @greenpeacefr, @AnvCop21 and Alternatiba Paris block the GA of @TotalEnergies !
Demand the withdrawal of TOTAL from Russia and the halt of all new fossil fuel projects #BlockTotal
1/5 pic.twitter.com/iKxcM1uxXO
— Alternatiba Paris (@alternatiba75) May 25, 2022
#BlockTotal pic.twitter.com/rSo1AB8wP4
— Greenpeace France (@greenpeacefr) May 25, 2022
“Die and don’t piss off”
This is how some shareholders of @TotalEnergies spoke to climate activists who were protesting against the destructive model deployed by the multinational. Support for them #BlockTotal pic.twitter.com/EDunbeQ863
— Greenpeace France (@greenpeacefr) May 25, 2022
Protesters judge the oil and gas group “completely irresponsible” because it continues to exploit and develop oil and gas despite the climate emergency. Some unfurled a large banner “Stop fossil fuel projects” in Angola, Tanzania or Mozambique. They also denounce the presence of the group in Russia.
Eight shareholders had announced that they would vote against the group’s climate plan. In question, among others: the anticipation by TotalEnergies of a “sharp increase in hydrocarbon production over 2019-2030”according to Crédit Mutuel insurance.
The shareholders of the oil giant finally validated the report presenting this climate strategy with 88.89%. TotalEnergies says it is aiming for carbon neutrality by the middle of the century, and is committed to reducing the emissions of its petroleum products by more than 30% compared to 2015. The company invests in renewables, but wants to continue to meet the demand for gas and oil while there is some.