Unveiling the Oversight: Why Methane Continues to Evade Scrutiny in Greenhouse Gas Reporting
In the heart of Paris, a court case opened in June 2025, accusing TotalEnergies (Total) of greenwashing and misleading the public about its net zero intentions. This case has sparked a wave of discussions about transparency in emissions reporting, a crucial aspect in assessing a company's carbon footprint.
The focus is on the use of CO2e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent), a measure that takes into account other greenhouse gases' global warming potentials. TotalEnergies' Sustainability and Climate 2025 Progress Report discusses the selective accounting of emissions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between CO2 and CO2e.
However, the report does not specify whether TotalEnergies has been accused of selective accounting in the Paris court case. Furthermore, it does not address whether the company plans to change its emissions reporting practices in response to the court case or any other criticism.
Methane, a by-product of burning natural gas and agricultural production, is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential around 28 times that of CO2. Approximately one-third of methane emissions come from natural gas and petroleum industries, including leaks during extraction, processing, and transportation. These leaks contribute substantially to climate change and undermine the claim that natural gas is a clean energy source.
Total's 2030 goals include more energy production, albeit with lower emissions intensity, not a reduction in absolute emissions. The company's Chairman & CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, has stated a goal to reduce industrial emissions, including methane, by 2030. However, this statement only applies to Total's own operated facilities.
The report also suggests that focusing on CO2 alone may not provide a complete understanding of the company's overall carbon footprint. This is because methane, which is not offset through natural capital like CO2, significantly impacts the assessment of TotalEnergies' emissions.
The argument against oil and gas companies, like TotalEnergies, portraying natural gas as a low-carbon solution centers mainly on the impact of methane emissions. These emissions, associated with natural gas production and use, can delay investments in truly renewable and less harmful alternatives.
Total's integrated power networks include a growing share of electricity production, with 70% coming from renewables and 30% from "flexible" solutions like combined cycle gas turbines and battery storage. However, natural gas lies at the heart of this system, raising concerns about the company's commitment to a low-carbon future.
The TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures), whose name does not include "GHGs," focuses on carbon instead of all greenhouse gases. This highlights the need for comprehensive reporting that includes methane emissions to provide a clear picture of a company's carbon footprint.
In conclusion, the Paris court case and the discussions around TotalEnergies' emissions reporting underscore the need for transparency and accurate reporting in the fight against climate change. The controversy surrounding methane emissions and the portrayal of natural gas as a low-carbon solution underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding the energy industry's transition towards a low-carbon future.
- The Paris court case revolves around the accusation of TotalEnergies using greenwashing tactics to mislead the public about its net zero plans, sparking debates about transparency in emissions reporting, crucial in evaluating a company's carbon footprint.
- Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, contributes significantly to climate change and its emissions from the natural gas and petroleum industries can undermine the claim that natural gas is a clean energy source.
- In the face of criticism, Total's Chairman & CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, has pledged to reduce industrial emissions, including methane, by 2030, though this applies only to Total's own operated facilities.
- The TCFD's focus on carbon, rather than all greenhouse gases, reveals the necessity for comprehensive reporting that incorporates methane emissions to offer a comprehensive picture of a company's carbon footprint.
