Climate Activists Storm TotalEnergies Headquarters and Investor Offices

Climate activists targeted TotalEnergies' Paris headquarters and investor Amundi to protest the oil giant's climate strategy. Annual general meetings for both companies were interrupted as activists condemned ongoing oil and gas investments. Protestors called for increased attention to climate concerns amid votes on sustainability goals and CEO re-approval.

Climate activists climbed up a building near TotalEnergies' Paris headquarters on Friday to protest the oil major's climate strategy while others stormed the offices of Total investor Amundi, denouncing its holding in the group. The actions came ahead of annual general meetings being held at both companies on Friday, as climate groups condemn ongoing investment in oil and gas production.

Barriers had already been erected around the entrances of Total's offices in the French capital's La Defense business district on Thursday evening, with employees told to work from home on Friday. Total shareholders are due to vote in the afternoon on whether to approve the progress the firm has made on its sustainability and climate goals for 2030.

A vote to re-approve CEO and Chairman Patrick Pouyanne for another three-year mandate is also on the agenda, with some investors urging opposition to protest against what they perceive to be insufficient attention paid to climate concerns. Greenpeace activists unfurled a banner near Total's headquarters carrying a large photo of Pouyanne under a 'Wanted' heading.

The group opposes Total's continued exploration of oil and gas, despite a 'climate emergency', said a spokesperson. "TotalEnergies fully respects the right to protest and freedom of expression," said a company spokesman, adding that the safety of employees, citizens and protestors was its top priority.

Meanwhile, members of climate movement Extinction Rebellion entered Amundi headquarters in the south of Paris, "resorting to violence against property and people", the asset manager said in a statement. Amundi held around 9.5% of Total's shares at the end of 2023, both in direct holdings and indirectly through managing the shares owned by Total employees.

Social media posts showed dozens of activists chanting loudly inside Amundi offices that had been splattered with red paint. Many were wearing white hazmat suits. Some of the company's security staff were injured and property damaged, police said.

Earlier this week, climate activists also disrupted Shell's annual shareholder meeting in Britain, chanting "Shell Kills."