TotalEnergies warns that indirect emissions may increase as the company aims to sell gas

By America Hernandez

TotalEnergies, a French energy company, said in its sustainability report on Thursday that plans to sell more gas in the coming years would increase indirect CO2 emissions.

TotalEnergies said that global emissions will also fall as a result of its clients moving away from dirty fuels.

In 2024, the French oil giant emitted 376 millions metric tons CO2-equivalent. Of this, 342 million tons was indirect emissions so-called Scope 3, which comes from clients burning fuels purchased.

This is a slight decrease from the 386 tons CO2-equivalent that was produced in 2023.

TotalEnergies has not changed its goal to keep Scope 3-emissions under 400 tons by 2030, despite plans to reduce them in the coming years. This is a target that it has already met in the last two years.

The firm believes that the number will rise as it strives to grow its business in liquefied gas by 3% per year through 2027.

Aurelien Hamelle is the president of sustainability and strategic. He said, "The 2030 goal, which is a ceiling, is where we should be because we will not constrain the sale or gas."

Hamelle continued, "By selling gas, we help clients replace more emitting fuels, such as coal and fuel oil... This means that our Scope 3 emission will increase, but overall Scope 1 & 2 emissions for the world are decreasing, something we insist on."

TotalEnergies has lowered its methane emission target for 2025 to 25,6 kilotons. This is a 60% decrease compared to the 2020 level. It emitted 29 kilograms of methane last year.

The company has lowered its target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2025 and announced that it will spend $1 billion between 2026 and 2028 on energy saving measures. This includes powering drilling equipment with batteries rather than diesel.

(source: Reuters)