Climate Change: It’s Time to Find Solutions That Are Determined and Pragmatic

The wave of climate activism regularly comes knocking at our door. Total is one of the world’s leading energy companies — so it’s understandable why demonstrators, young people in particular, are mobilizing to remind everyone that their future is at stake.

We agree: Yes, climate change is a real threat and we must build a new paradigm for the planet. But the real question is: How do we get there, with what kind of energy system — and how quickly?

Societal pressures on the subject of climate change are growing at a rate that I truly did not anticipate a year ago. Some of the most vocal protesters call for an immediate stop to the production and consumption of any fossil fuel. But this is not a reasonable starting point. Not only would such a scenario derail the world economy, but it would also neglect billions of people who need energy to lift themselves out of poverty and achieve a better life. The International Energy Agency predicts that global energy needs will grow by 25% by 2040, driven by growth in the world population and increased demand by developing countries.

Then there are others (fewer in number, thankfully) who argue the contrary, that climate change is a hoax and the world doesn’t need to change any of its habits. This is the real danger: being caught in the grips of two extremes that paralyze any attempt at practical action. But now is the time to act, in a way that’s both determined and pragmatic.

The challenge we face is complex, and it is impossible to ignore the economic disparities between different regions in the world, or to try instantly changing the lifestyles of 7 billion people. Not to mention that the efforts of some can be nullified by the emissions of others. All of this forces us to think about the acceptable conditions of sustainable development as we transition into new models for energy production.

“Knowing how to adapt is what separates us from the dinosaurs… and their fate!”

Here in France, we’ve seen how complicated calibrating the pace of the transition can be. Energy is so crucial that its availability and cost have become prominent social stakes. The recent “yellow vest” movement, sparked by anger against a tax on gasoline, are a clear reminder that policies aimed at “consuming less and consuming better” have to take socio-economic matters into account.

Even if the future is difficult to predict, we can always learn from the past. Knowing how to adapt is what separates us from the dinosaurs … and their fate! At Total we have a clear vision of the challenges ahead and solutions we can provide [See our Climate Report for 2019]. We have all the technological and financial means to make change happen. And above all, we have all the human resources to make it a reality, as evidenced by the breadth of talent, experience and commitment of our employees. So we have a double advantage over these extinct reptilian giants: the awareness of the obstacle on the horizon, and the means to overcome it.

This is why I strongly support the introduction of a carbon fee as a tool capable of accelerating change by encouraging less reliance on carbon solutions. Driven by the Climate Leadership Council, of which Total is a founding member, the idea of ”taxing” CO2 emissions would follow a mechanism of fair redistribution, from the richest — higher energy consumers, therefore higher carbon consumers — to the poorest — lower energy consumers, so that each would ultimately receive the same carbon "dividend" (i.e. the same subsidy for all) regardless of energy consumption.

It is in this spirit that, as CEO of Total, I contribute to the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), an initiative of oil and gas executives launched in 2014 to implement the industry’s response to climate change. This is an unprecedented collaboration, commensurate with the challenges facing the entire sector.

Currently Total is working to reduce its CO2 emissions below 40 million tons by 2025 and reduce by 15% by 2030 the intensity of carbon emissions from the energy products used by its customers. 

How? First by developing a game plan for natural gas — the least emitting of fossil fuels, and an indispensable complement to renewable energies, given their intermittence and seasonal demand. It takes into account the entire value chain from production to distribution.

“Total is striving to build an energy future different from the one that allowed the economic boom of the last century.”

We are also investing in low-carbon electricity, which we produce from gas and renewables, already serving 5 million customers around Europe. Our goal for this to account for 15 to 20% of our energy mix over the next 20 years, because we firmly believe that the synergy between these energies will ultimately help create new values and bring on technological progress.

We are also committed to developing advanced CO2 storage solutions and carbon sinks to compensate for the hydrocarbon emissions that will continue to be consumed. And finally we are promoting the use of sustainable biofuels.

Still, we must forge ahead. Building a cleaner future requires that everyone does their part. And Total is striving to build an energy future different from the one that allowed the economic boom of the last century. Our teams are leading this ambitious evolution of the company, with a sense of responsibility and commitment to change. No doubt, not up to the radicalism demanded by activists with their signs and slogans in front of our offices. At any rate, we are far from accusations of greenwashing that some critics reproach us for.

The fight against climate change requires ever more ambitious, coordinated and faster responses. Steering clear of dogmatism on either side, it seems to me far more useful to seek cohesion, joint action, solidarity, determined action and pragmatism. In the face of adversity, it becomes urgent to regain confidence in our collective capacity to work together to find real solutions for real problems — something the dinosaurs certainly could never count on.

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