PARIS (AP) – French oil and gas company Total has said it has decided to withdraw from the American Petroleum Institute energy association because it does not agree with climate policies.
Total said in a statement on Friday that it would not renew its membership for 2021 following an analysis of the API’s position on climate issues which showed “certain divergences”.
The company specifically mentions “API support during the recent elections for candidates who argued against US participation” in the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce climate change. Total also highlighted divergent views on regulating methane emissions, subsidies for electric vehicles and the principle of carbon pricing, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Total says it is working to provide cleaner energy, and its CEO Patrick Pouyanné said the group wants to ensure that “the industry associations we are a member of adopt positions and messages that are aligned with those of the group in the fight. against climate change. “
API said in a statement on Friday that “we believe that the world’s energy and environmental challenges are large enough that many different approaches are needed to address them and that we benefit from a diversity of views.” With over 600 members, API represents all segments of the US oil and gas industry
API added that it “does not accept energy subsidies because it distorts the market and ultimately proves harmful to consumers”.
Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy at the Concerned Union of Scientists in the United States, said Total’s decision to leave the group was significant.
“It’s a big deal for a major oil company to take a stand, practically leaving the big trade association here in the United States,” he told The Associated Press.
Frumhoff said the move came just days after API President Mike Summers gave a speech saying the group will fight methane emissions regulation, drilling restrictions on public land and support for vehicle infrastructure loading. electric.
He added that Total’s decision put pressure on other oil companies BP and Shell, both of which said they aimed to combat greenhouse gas emissions, “put their political power where their mouth is and do the same.” thing ”.
President-elect Joe Biden, who has said he wants to focus on the fight against climate change, has pledged for the US to join the Paris agreement on the first day of his presidency.
API stressed that earlier this week, Summers said the association was ready to work “with the Biden administration on policy solutions” that would allow for further reductions in methane emissions, including by exploring “the possibility of further regulation in this area.”
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Frank Jordans of Berlin contributed to this report.