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French Court Convicts Oil Giant TotalEnergies for Climate Misinformation
23 Oct
Summary
- French court rules TotalEnergies misled consumers on climate pledges
- First conviction of a major oil company for "greenwashing" globally
- Activists say ruling sets legal precedent for corporate environmental claims
On October 23, 2025, a French court delivered a groundbreaking verdict, ruling that oil and gas company TotalEnergies had engaged in "misleading commercial practices" by overstating its climate pledges. This ruling marks the first time a major oil company has been convicted globally for the practice of "greenwashing" - making exaggerated claims about environmental responsibility.
The case was brought by several environmental groups, who argued that TotalEnergies' advertisements promoting its goal of "net zero by 2050" were deceptive, as the company continued to increase oil and gas production. The court agreed, finding a "big gap" between TotalEnergies' climate-focused marketing and its fossil fuel-heavy business activities.
Activists say this ruling could set a significant legal precedent, as corporate environmental claims face increasing scrutiny in Europe. In recent years, courts have also ruled against airlines KLM and Lufthansa for misleading consumers about their environmental efforts.
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TotalEnergies' conviction is a major victory for climate advocates, who have long accused the oil and gas industry of greenwashing to maintain public trust and avoid stricter regulations. This landmark decision sends a clear message that such deceptive practices will no longer be tolerated.
