French group Total, one of the world's biggest energy companies, is preparing to change its name to TotalEnergies to signal its diversification towards cleaner energy sources.

The group, founded in 1924 as the Compagnie francaise des petroles, is set to propose the new name on May 28 during a shareholders' general assembly.

Total has begun to invest more in solar and wind power, but it is under pressure to do more as climate issues rise closer to the top of investors' agendas.

"The group is expressing its intention to transform itself into a multi-energy company to respond to the twin challenges faced by energy transitions: more energy and fewer emissions," chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said in a French-language statement.

This year, Total plans to devote more than 20 percent of its investment budget to renewable energy sources as well as electricity.

But environmental activists say it must do more to fight climate change, and on Tuesday the International Energy Agency said all future fossil fuel projects must be scrapped if the world is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

That is needed if the world is to limit global warming.

Towards that end, the Total board is expected to present a climate resolution during the general assembly, a move it resisted last year.

Total would not be the first energy giant to change its name to reflect the changing times.

Denmark's Dong -- a name that originated from Danish Oil and Natural Gas -- changed its name to Orsted as part of a green rebrand in 2017.

And Norway's Statoil renamed to Equinor in 2018, in a similar bid to reflect its diversification towards cleaner energy sources.

Related Links
All About Oil and Gas News at OilGasDaily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Shell shareholders back climate plan despite criticism
London (AFP) May 18, 2021
Shareholders of oil and gas giant Royal Dutch Shell voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday in favour of its controversial climate strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and become carbon neutral by 2050. The plan sets targets but does not include a shift away from hydrocarbons that account for most of its profits, even as the International Energy Agency said the sector must halt all exploration projects to keep global warming under control. At the Anglo-Dutch group's annual general meeting, nearl ... read more