A Paris court has issued a landmark ruling requiring TotalEnergies to improve its disclosure of climate risks related to the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the use of its oil and gas products, commonly referred to as Scope 3 emissions.
The lawsuit was brought by civil society organizations seeking greater corporate transparency on climate-related financial risks. The court found that the company’s existing disclosures did not sufficiently meet the transparency requirements established under French law and ordered more comprehensive reporting.
The decision is considered a significant development in climate litigation, reinforcing the expectation that fossil fuel companies should account not only for emissions from their own operations but also for emissions produced when customers use their products.
Legal and sustainability experts say the ruling could influence future corporate climate reporting across Europe, encouraging energy companies to strengthen environmental disclosures and provide investors with clearer assessments of climate-related risks.
The judgment also reflects the growing role of courts in holding corporations accountable for their contributions to climate change while increasing pressure on businesses to align their reporting with evolving environmental governance standards.
