TotalEnergies - the journey to carbon neutrality

Total recently rebranded as TotalEnergies signalling its intention to become a broad energy company. Across all areas of the business there is a strong focus on sustainability and the new brand anchors its climate ambition to its identity.

In fact, since 2016 the company has been taking steps to integrate the climate challenge into its strategy. Having set the ambition to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, TotalEnergies is undergoing a major transformation to fulfil its ambition to provide energy that is more affordable, reliable and clean.

Emissions

The first part of this ambition is for TotalEnergies to become carbonneutral in its own greenhouse gas emissions from its own production facilities. It will do this by lowering direct emissions by improving energy efficiency, eliminating routine flaring, electrifying processes and reducing methane emissions.

To address the residual emissions the company is developing carbon sinks, such as nature-based solutions, by investing in forests, as well as carbon capture and storage.

The second part of the ambition for 2050 requires the firm to jointly achieve neutrality with customers by working with them to reduce their direct emissions. TotalEnergies plan to contribute actively to its customers’ choices and provide them with lower-carbon energy products, and, depending on changes in their consumption patterns, help them use less energy and choose energy sources with lower carbon intensity.

Products

The company is gradually reducing the average carbon content of its mix of energy products. To that end, it is taking decisive steps to ensure that gas and renewable energies figure more prominently. It is expanding its presence along the entire gas value chain, notably in the LNG market.

Total EcoSolutions (TES)

Established in 2009, the Total Ecosolutions (TES) label, which is on over 90 products, highlights innovative solutions that deliver better environmental performance than the leading products on the market. These include:

● Fuel Economy lubricants - by reducing engine friction they improve performance and efficiency, and because they’re so durable, fewer oil changes are needed and less waste oil is produced. They’re available for cars, motorbikes, commercial, agricultural and construction vehicles.

● ECO2 bitumens - TotalEnergies’ ECO2 bitumen products can be mixed at temperatures 40°C lower than normal with regular equipment, lowering the energy consumption of roadbuilders. And because its bitumens are so durable, road renewal is less frequent meaning lower costs, energy usage and disruption.

● Excellium fuel additives - the Excellium fuel additives the business has developed for diesel and petrol can result in a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency.

● Low SAPS lubricants - it has also developed a range of lubricants that are low in sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur. This means a reduction in the particulates produced by diesel engines – another win for the environment.

● Biolubricants - it has developed biolubricants for application in a number of industries. Made with substances from sustainable sources, they qualify as biodegradable with the relevant regulators. If they’re spilled, they break down and biodegrade naturally.

● BioLife isoparaffins - pure, renewable isoparaffins have been developed in its labs and as well as being biodegradable they’re lower in aromatic, PAH and benzene content. Their use also translates into greater energy efficiency in a wide range of applications.

TotalEnergies is also spearheading a range of initiatives from solar energy through to collecting and safely disposing of waste oils from customers.

TotalEnergies plan to contribute actively to its customers’ choices and provide them with lower-carbon energy products

Mobility

In energy storage, TotalEnergies’ wholly-owned Saft subsidiary is pursuing growth. Saft is adhering to its goal for 2025 of remaining a leader in its traditional industrial markets while expanding into electric mobility as well as the booming energy storage system (ESS) market.

The number of vehicles on the road worldwide could double to more than two billion by 2050, and more than half could be electric. As a stakeholder in this increasingly electrified future, TotalEnergies has said it is committed to offering integrated solutions, from supplying energy to providing a comprehensive charging service, allowing it to meet the needs of consumers (B2C), businesses (B2B) and governments (B2G).

TotalEnergies’ transition to becoming a broad energy is well underway. By reducing its own emissions and indirect emissions and helping its customers reduce their emissions, TotalEnergies aims to realise its net zero ambition.

https://totalenergies.com