Total joins O&G majors with net-zero ambitions, reconfirms renewables target

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Image credit: Laurent Vincenti.

Total has become the latest oil and gas (O&G) major to set its sights on becoming net zero by 2050, reconfirming its plans for a major green energy push despite the recent financial hit from the oil market crisis. 

Earlier this week, the French group said it would stick to its previously announced target to reach a 25GW renewables portfolio by 2025, as part a new plan to reach net zero emissions by mid-century.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

According to Total, over 10% of current capex volumes is going towards funding low-carbon electricity ventures. The figure – the highest among O&G majors, or so Total claimed – will increase to 20% by “2030 or sooner,” the firm said. 

The doubling down on green energy spending came despite the financial downturn Total witnessed the quarter just gone, amid a global oil market rout driven by anti-pandemic lockdown measures.

The firm remained income-positive but from cash flow from operations to adjusted net income, key Q1 2020 financial metrics were down 35-64% compared to Q1 2019. 

Total's new net-zero push follows similar climate and green energy pledges by fellow O&G majors in recent months, including RepsolGalp, BP, Eni and Equinor. The sector has been urged by the IEA not to abandon renewable ambitions even as COVID-19 cripples oil revenues.

See here to read the full story on PV Tech's sister title Current±

PV Tech has set up a dedicated tracker to map out how the COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting solar supply chains worldwide. You can read the latest updates here.

If you have a COVID-19 statement to share or a story on how the pandemic is disrupting a solar business anywhere in the world, do get in touch at [email protected] or [email protected].

21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.

Read Next

July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.
July 3, 2025
Malaysian engineering and infrastructure giant Gamuda has expanded its presence in the Australian renewables sector by partnering with Tasmanian landowners to build a 1.2GW portfolio, which includes solar PV.
Premium
July 2, 2025
ANALYSIS: China's leading PV manufacturers are locked in a new round of competition, aiming to outpace each other through record-breaking feats.
July 2, 2025
Indigenous-led renewable energy company Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) has submitted plans for a hybrid wind and solar PV renewable energy project to the Australian government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
July 2, 2025
Robotics company Luminous has received AU$4.9 million (US$3.2 million) via Australia’s Solar ScaleUp Challenge to support deploying its ‘LUMI’ technology at utility-scale solar PV power plants.
June 30, 2025
Voting on the US tax reconciliation bill is expected to begin in the Senate today, following a draft published on Friday that hit clean energy tax credits hard.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK