“If companies do not want to act, the courts have the means to force them”

86 proceedings have been initiated around the world against Total, Exxon and Shell since COP21 in 2015. The number of disputes each year has almost tripled according to a report published this morning by two international environmental NGOs (Oil Change International and Zero Carbon Analytics).

And France is no exception. For example, it has been four years now since the city of Arcueil, in Val-de-Marne, launched into a standoff with Total. Along with a dozen other local authorities, the city wants to force the company to reduce its emissions. Christian Métairie, the mayor, considers himself a victim of the multinational: “We are suffering the consequences of global warming. Schools are experiencing extreme heat peaks, we have launched a campaign to plant greenery in our courtyards, and it is not normal that we are forced to do this without Total doing anything.”

Seven actions of this type have been recorded in France, some of which were carried out by “Our common business”, Justine Ripol is responsible for campaigns for the NGO: “If the government is unwilling to act, and companies are unwilling to act, the courts now have more and more means to force these companies to actually transition their business.”and in particular new laws which further characterize environmental damage.

But it’s not so simple to get one of the energy giants convicted: “Companies, when they are attacked, have the financial means to produce an armada of lawyers and expert reports that must be analyzed and challenged,” laments Justine Ripol. However, there is a precedent: Shell was ordered in the Netherlands in 2021 to reduce its emissions, but the procedure is still ongoing after the oil giant’s appeal.