Greenwashing Court Battle: TotalEnergies under Scrutiny in Paris over Misleading Green Claims
TotalEnergies faces potential legal action in Paris for allegations of greenwashing
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Energy behemoth TotalEnergies is currently battling a court case in Paris, accused of greenwashing through misleading advertisements. A civil trial commenced on June 5, 2025, following a lawsuit filed by a trio of environmental advocacy groups, including Greenpeace, in March 2022 over alleged misleading business practices.
The environmental groups have taken issue with TotalEnergies' marketing strategy, arguing that it presents the company as capable of attaining carbon neutrality while maintaining its oil and gas business — a claim TotalEnergies denies. In 2021, Total rebranded to TotalEnergies, accompanied by a significant advertising campaign emphasizing investments in low-carbon energies, pledging net-zero emissions by 2050, and inviting "society" to join in the mission.
Natural gas was touted as the "least CO2-emitting fossil fuel," positioning it as a climate-friendly alternative to oil and coal. However, these claims have been challenged by environmental groups, who argue that methane emissions render gas an unacceptable alternative. Apolline Cagnat of Greenpeace expresses concern over 40 advertising messages she believes do not accurately represent TotalEnergies' activities, deceiving consumers with what she defines as a "green image" not in line with reality.
The organizations are asking the court to impose an immediate ban on misleading business practices, hoping it will deliver a "strong signal" to other companies relying on fossil fuels. In response, TotalEnergies maintains that these communications are not "advertising messages" but rather "institutional communication" that falls outside the purview of consumer protection rules.
TotalEnergies is no stranger to climate legal battles. A precedent was set in 2023 when German Environmental Aid won a lawsuit against the company for misleading climate neutrality claims when selling heating oil. Other corporations have also faced greenwashing convictions, such as Lufthansa, whose CO2 offsetting flight advertisements were banned by the Cologne Regional Court in March 2025, pending a final ruling.
Sources: ntv.de, afp [2] TotalEnergies' claims about carbon neutrality and green images have been disputed by environmental groups, leading to the court case. [3] TotalEnergies disputes the allegations, maintaining that its communications are regulated by financial authorities and are not subject to consumer law. [4] A verdict in the case is expected on October 23, 2025. [5] environmental organizations have identified approximately 40 advertisements they deem misleading.
The environmental organizations are pushing for a ban on misleading business practices by TotalEnergies, citing around 40 advertisements they find deceptive, particularly those promoting the company's claims of carbon neutrality and investments in low-carbon energies. The science behind these claims, including the role of natural gas in mitigating carbon emissions, is a subject of debate within the environmental-science community.
