French Total quits US API over differences in climate policies

LONDON (ICIS)–French energy and chemicals major Total has decided to leave the US’ oil and gas trade group American Petroleum Institute (API) because of differences over emissions and climate policies, it said on Friday.

Total cited in particular API’s support for the rollback of US regulations on methane emissions, API’s opposition to subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs), and differences over carbon pricing.

Moreover, during the recent US election API gave its support to candidates who argued against US participation in the 2015 Paris climate pact, Total said.

“As part of our Climate Ambition made public in May 2020, we are committed to ensuring, in a transparent manner, that the industry associations of which we are a member adopt positions and messages that are aligned with those of the group in the fight against climate change”, said Patrick Pouyanne, chairman and CEO of Total.

“This transparency responds to our stakeholders’ expectations, as well as being an essential guarantee of the credibility of our strategy,” Pouyanne said.

The moves comes after Total and other companies previously already left US petrochemicals trade group American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), also because of differences in approaching climate change.