New York, USA (CNN) – The American Petroleum Institute (API), the largest and most powerful “oil lobby” in the country, has lost one of its largest members due to a dispute over handling the climate crisis. The French company Total announced on Friday that it would withdraw from the institute. Because of his positions on regulation and carbon pricing, as well as his support for politicians who oppose the Paris climate agreement.
The move makes Total the first major oil company to leave the American Petroleum Institute due to the climate crisis.
Total’s exit underscores the division in the oil industry over how to respond to climate change. Major European oil companies, including Total and BP, have made more serious promises to reduce carbon emissions and invest in clean energy compared to ExxonMobil, Chevron and other US companies.
“This is a serious blow to the API, whose influence stems largely from its claims that it is the voice of the entire oil and gas industry,” Andrew Logan, director of oil and gas at the non-profit sustainability organization Ceres, said in a statement, adding that the split “is likely to mark the beginning.” A collective exit from the commercial group. “
Founded in 1919, the API now has more than 600 members, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP and Shell.
Total has helped lead the industry’s response to the climate crisis, with the company last year announcing its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
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