Total SA has joined Royal Dutch Shell PLC in withdrawing from American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers because of disagreement about polices on climate change.
In a report on integrating climate with strategy, the company said it reviewed 30 industry associations to which it belongs “to verify that their stances on climate issues are aligned with the group’s.”
Among six criteria in its assessment is support for the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which the company called “a major advance in the fight against climate change.”
Total Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne also cited the Paris agreement, stating, “Our policy regarding industry associations demonstrates our consistency and credibility. Transparency will strengthen the action of businesses, which are key participants in discussions on how to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.”
Total said it is keeping its membership in the American Chemistry Council, American Petroleum Institute, and Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, climate positions of which are “partially aligned” with its own, but issued a warning.
“Total would reconsider its memberships in the event of lasting divergences,” it said.
Shell withdrew from AFPM in April after a review of 19 industry associations in Australia, Europe, and North America, also citing its support for the Paris Agreement among criteria.
It said it found alignment with its positions on climate change with nine of the associations, partial misalignment with nine, and “material misalignment” with AFPM.