By Kobusingye Sandra Cassie
Op_Ed
On the 25th June 2026, the Paris Judicial Tribunal in France ruled against Total Energies for failure to fulfill its climate vigilance obligations.
The Lawsuit was filed by a coalition of French civil society organizations and local authorities like Notre Affaire a Tous, Sherpa, France Natural Environment, ZEA in the broader coalition and city of Paris among others in January 2020 at Nanterre Judicial courts and was later transferred to Paris judicial tribunal.
The plaintiffs accused Total Energies of breaching its duty of vigilance by failing to adequately identity, prevent and mitigate climate risks associated with the operations and value chain. They highlighted the company’s continued expansion of oil and gas production despite scientific consensus on climate change; focusing on its massive greenhouse gas emissions and scope 3 emissions from combustion of its products which account for nearly 90% of its carbon footprint.
The plaintiffs sought court orders compelling Total Energies to revise and strengthen its vigilance plan, adopt measures to align with Paris agreement, reduce Greenhouse gas emissions and halt or limit activities incompatible with climate goals. The law suit invoked France’s 2017 Duty of vigilance Law which requires large companies to prevent human rights abuses and environmental herms linked to their activities and supply chains.
The Paris judicial court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs stating that; Total Energies has duty of climate vigilance that extends to scope 3 emissions and the company must improve its climate vigilance plan within six months including a new risk assessment and appropriate mitigation measures.
The court rejected Total Energies and the public Prosecutor’s narrow interpretation that the law does not apply to climate risks.
Liberty Pro Bono Initiative (LPI) and our partner Health Equity and Policy initiative (HEAPI) filed a Human Rights Enforcement Application against Total Energies concerning the Tilenga project and the 2023 evictions in Kapaapi Parish, Hoima District and this ruling encourages our efforts.
This decision underscores that companies like Total Energies must conduct human rights and environmental due diligence across their global operations. In the Kapaapi case the community members allege failure of total energies to conduct due diligence regarding land disputes, evictions, compensation for land, resettlement of displaced people and human rights violations.
This French precedent reinforces the principle the principle that parent companies in France can be held accountable for harms linked to projects abroad. It strengthens the legal and moral foundation for our demands in in Hoima-Uganda, immediate release of detained community leaders, full investigation of arrest and past violations, fair compensation, proper resettlement and accountability for harms suffered by over 1,000 Kapaapi residents.
In conclusion, the Paris judicial ruling against Total Energies sets a global benchmark for corporate vigilance obligations. For Liberty Pro Bono Initiative (LPI) and the Kapaapi community it amplifies our call for justice in Uganda. Total Energies must act responsibly in every country it operates. We remain committed to supporting the community through lawful advocacy, demanding protection, remedies and to end intimidation.
The writer, Kobusingye Sandra Cassie is a Programs Legal Officer, Liberty Probono Initiative (LPI)
