A French court might ban TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) from developing an East African oil pipeline on Tuesday. This historic lawsuit would apply rules that hold major firms accountable for environmental and human rights threats.
Friends of the Earth France and five French and Ugandan activist organisations are suing TotalEnergies in Paris civil court. TotalEnergies allegedly seized land from over 100,000 people without compensation. Total Energies also dug in an endangered species natural park.
However, TotalEnergies stated its monitoring, remuneration, and transfers were fair and lawful. Adding that a French court couldn’t investigate TotalEnergies EP Uganda’s international operations. Uganda-Tanzania pipelines costing $3.5 billion are at risk. TotalEnergies owns 62%. It also own the Tilenga oil project . The oil project will generate enough crude oil for a 1,443 kilometer pipeline.
The Tuesday judgment will be the first to employ a 2017 French legislation. Big firms must identify human and environmental hazards in their worldwide operations and supply networks by law. They then create thorough warning strategies.
However, plaintiffs want TotalEnergies’ East African projects to stop immediately and compensate victims.
Activists argue the company’s “vigilance plan” should address Uganda and Tanzania’s water, endangered species, and climate issues.
TotalEnergies told Reuters on Monday that its monitoring approach worked in the projects examined.
Adding that, it identify the risk pointed out by the NGOs. Risks such as threats to human rights and local communities, access to property, the right to health and a fair standard of life, and threats to human security and the environment.
Furthermore, other French companies were sued under the 2017 “Duty of Vigilance” Act. EDF, Suez, BNP Paribas, and Danone are examples (DANO.PA).
These issues cover plastic pollution, labor conditions in France and overseas, and loans to deforestation enterprises. Plus indigenous land issues over new developments.
