Recent news has highlighted a new episode of disputes between the oil giant TotalEnergies and environmental associations. Indeed, four associations have filed a criminal complaint in France against the company, accusing it in particular of “involuntary homicide” in the context of its oil pipeline project in Uganda, as well as for other fossil fuel projects. .
The initiative of these associations – Darwin Climax Coalitions, Sea Shepherd France, Wild Legal and Stop EACOP-Stop Total in Uganda – marks a new approach in the fight against the harmful consequences of global warming. They decided to bring their action before the criminal judge, thus opting for a route which was until then reserved for civil courts.
The implications of this complaint are significant. It aims to hold TotalEnergies responsible for its activities and to demand accountability for the offenses committed. The charges include failure to fight a disaster, involuntary attacks on personal integrity, destruction or damage to property belonging to others, as well as involuntary manslaughter.
TotalEnergies’ EACOP (East African Crude Oil Pipeline) project, which plans to build an oil pipeline linking Uganda to Tanzania, is at the heart of this affair. This project is criticized by environmental defense associations, who believe that it threatens the biodiversity of the region and the local populations who depend on it. Indeed, the construction of nearly 400 oil wells in the Murchison Falls Natural Park, in Uganda, risks causing forced displacement of populations and worsening environmental degradation.
TotalEnergies claims to conduct its operations in compliance with current regulations, but associations question the lack of concrete measures to combat climate change. They also denounce the company’s communication strategy, which they consider to be an attempt to hide its lack of real action.
This complaint is part of a broader trend of questioning the activities of oil companies and their responsibility for the devastating effects of global warming. Lawyers for the associations emphasize that, to respect the Paris agreement and avoid a catastrophic scenario, it is urgent to abandon any new oil projects. However, TotalEnergies is going against this recommendation by approving new projects incompatible with the objectives of the Paris agreement.
In conclusion, this complaint against TotalEnergies by four environmental associations marks a new stage in the fight against the consequences of global warming. It aims to hold the company responsible for its activities and to seek reparations for the damage caused. This affair highlights the contradictions between the speeches of oil companies on their commitment to the environment and the reality of their actions. It is time that these companies are truly held accountable for their activities and actively contribute to the transition to more sustainable energy.