Inside TotalEnergies’ 2025 Sustainability & Climate Report

TotalEnergies, one of Europe’s largest energy providers, has published its Sustainability & Climate 2025 Progress Report, revealing some strengthened emissions reduction targets and updates to its transition strategy. 

In recent years, the company has positioned itself as a leader in integrating oil, gas and renewable energy and is now committing to further cuts in greenhouse gas emissions while increasing its overall investment in low-carbon energy.

In this report, the French multinational details some impressive successes in its decarbonisation efforts, exceeding several key targets throughout 2024, particularly in methane reductions.

“In 2024, we reached and even exceeded our 2025 methane emissions reduction target (a year ahead of schedule -55% vs. -50% compared with 2020),” Patrick Pouyanné, CEO and Chair of TotalEnergies writes in the report. 

“We are therefore stepping up our efforts to reach -60% by 2025 and -80% by 2030. 

“This is a priority for us, but it must also become a priority for the entire oil and gas industry.”

Balancing profitability and sustainability

TotalEnergies' approach to business hinges on maintaining oil and gas as core components of its business, whilst also expanding its renewable energy portfolio. 

In 2024, the company invested close to US$5bn in low-carbon energy, with US$4bn directed at its growing assets in electricity. 

This investment strategy, it argues, allows it to both remain profitable and accelerate its energy transition.

"TotalEnergies was the most profitable major for the third year in a row with a 14.8% return on average capital employed," the report states. 

At the same time, it claims to be the top investor among oil majors in the transition.

In the electricity sector, TotalEnergies increased its net electricity production by 23% last year and surpassed the 10% milestone in its sales mix, which it sees as a key marker of its shift towards renewables. 

These efforts, it says, contributed to a 16.5% reduction in the lifecycle carbon intensity of its energy products compared to 2015, surpassing its 14% target.

Lowering emissions while maintaining output

Despite its push into renewables, TotalEnergies remains deeply involved in fossil fuel production. 

The company asserts that it is committed to developing oil and gas "in a responsible manner" through a portfolio of low-cost, low-emission assets.

“To meet the demand for ‘more energy’, we are investing in new oil and gas projects with low breakeven points and low greenhouse gas emissions,” explains Patrick.

It reports a 36% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its operated oil and gas facilities compared to 2015.

Meanwhile, it claims its methane emissions are already among the lowest in its peer group.

“TotalEnergies is the company most committed to the energy transition among the majors,” says Jacques Aschenbroich, Lead Independent Director at TotalEnergies.

Beyond its own operations, TotalEnergies has played an active role in sector-wide decarbonisation efforts. 

It was a founding member of the Oil & Gas Decarbonisation Charter (OGDC), which launched in late 2023 and now includes 55 companies responsible for 45% of global oil and gas production.

"Sharing technologies and best practices is essential if the entire sector is to evolve," the company stated. 

TotalEnergies maintains that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) business is contributing to emissions reductions by displacing coal-fired power generation, estimating that its LNG sales helped clients avoid 65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions in 2024.

Looking ahead

There will be plenty of bumps in the road ahead, but the TotalEnergies leadership team understands its mission.

“The first challenge we face is to continue to produce the energy the world needs today while reducing our industrial emissions, and in particular moving towards zero methane emissions by 2030," says Patrick.

“The second challenge is to build the low-carbon energy system of tomorrow. Decarbonising electricity plays a key role in the energy transition."

TotalEnergies’ sustainability journey will be evaluated and reviewed again soon, too.

“The Company's ambition in terms of sustainable development and energy transition will be submitted once again for discussion at the Annual General Meeting," says Jacques.

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