Table of contents:
- Value creation for host regions
- Fostering the economic development of host regions
- Managing societal challenges related to the Company’s activities
- Engaging in citizenship initiatives: the TotalEnergies Foundation program
Value creation for host regions
Based on the values and principles formally set out in its Code of Conduct and Safety Health Environment Quality Charter, TotalEnergies strives to be an agent of positive change for society, and to contribute to its development through its societal actions.
At a national level, the Company’s activities generate value for the countries where it operates, and TotalEnergies intends to contribute to the development of economic opportunities for its host regions and communities. At a local level, the Company’s activities can be a source of opportunities for the people, but may also have an impact on the living conditions of local communities and residents. Furthermore, in order to address society’s global challenges, the Company is committed to the public interest.
Within this context, the Company has identified its main risks and opportunities with regards to creating and sharing value:
- fostering the economic development of the host regions
- managing societal challenges related to the Company’s activities;
- engaging in citizenship initiatives.
Fostering the economic development of host regions
Recruiting local people and supporting the development and creation of local businesses
In addition to contributing directly to job creation in the countries where the Company operates (refer to “To commit to its employees” section), TotalEnergies is committed to recruiting local people and subcontractors, if its operational imperatives so permit.
For each industrial project presented to the Company's Executive Committee, TotalEnergies' set itself as a target to maximise local employment and value creation for the host country through procurement, manufacturing and the development of local capacity and skills. In order to achieve this, TotalEnergies carries out an analysis of the local context in terms of regulations, stakeholder expectations and local economic and industrial capacities. Based on this analysis, depending on the needs of the project and future operations, existing local capacities, those requiring development support and those not available are determined. The analysis is complemented by working sessions with key suppliers to gather their views on how to mobilise and develop local content.
This approach enables to define a strategy for developing local content during the construction phase of the project and in operation. During the construction phase, the strategy incorporates objectives and actions relating to vocational training and support for local businesses. During the construction phase and in operation, key suppliers and their subcontractors are selected if they meet or exceed the local content targets set in the tenders. In order to monitor the achievement of the targets, suppliers and their subcontractors are required to submit a detailed report on their achievements (employment, use of local subcontractors, investments and initiatives in skills development and support to local businesses). This forms the basis for calculating impact: jobs and local value created. This approach has been deployed in recent years for two major projects: Tilenga in Uganda and EACOP in Tanzania. New renewable energy projects, in particular offshore wind projects, are gradually integrating this methodology in order to contribute to the development of new industrial sectors and local employment.
As an illustration, on the Tilenga project, the local content development approach should make it possibe to:
- create approximately 6,000 direct local jobs (1) during the construction phase, of which 60 % technicians and 15 % managers, and then approximately 3,000 during the operation phase;
- create approximately 14,000 indirect local jobs (2) during the construction phase, then approximately 5,000 during the operation phase. A significant portion of these indirect jobs will be created in the project area (Buliisa);
- spend approximately 700 million dollars with local suppliers during the construction phase, which is expected to generate up to 1.2 billion dollars in additional national economic wealth (3). During the operation phase, the site is expected to spend approximately 60 million dollars per year with its suppliers, which is expected to generate approximately 100 million dollars in national economic wealth (3).
In addition, TotalEnergies is reaffirming its commitment to supporting the socio-economic development of the countries in which the Company operates through an entrepreneurial challenge program, the Startup Challenge of the Year. TotalEnergies thus contributes locally to the reinforcement of the social fabric, through the support brought to the most innovative entrepreneurs, in the realization of their project. Following the success of the first edition launched in 2015-2016 in 34 countries in Africa, the 2018-2019 edition was expanded to 55 countries worldwide. The third edition was launched in November 2021 and should run through to June 2022.
(1) At TotalEnergies, suppliers and their subcontractors involved in the construction of the project.
(2) At subcontractors of suppliers involved in off-site activities other than construction, such as transportation, catering or accommodation activities dedicated to the project suppliers or the supply of materials to these suppliers.
(3) TotalEnergies study.
Anchoring our transformation with the actors of territories and with a will of just transition
In France, TotalEnergies is supporting the conversion of its industrial sites and intends to share its transformation ambition with its stakeholders.
In September 2021, TotalEnergies set up a division to forge ties with its local public and private stakeholders and to foster a dialogue focused on the regions. The extended missions of this division are to represent the Company in the regions, to dialogue with stakeholders, to establish partnerships, for example through collaborations with regions and cities, to integrate into the territories by participating in certain regional bodies in close proximity to regional decision-makers, to communicate on the transformation of the Company, by involving the Company's segments and the Corporate Foundation. As an example, end of September 2021, a declaration of Green Growth cooperation was signed between the Company and the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis, focusing on three areas: the energy transition towards carbon neutrality, territorial solidarity and economic development.
This division is also in charge of supporting the conversion of the Company's industrial sites with a view to a just transition and supporting the energy transition. Thus, the subcontractors of its sites are supported in setting up training and repositioning the skills of their employees in particular toward the new professions of the energy transition. Support can be offered to employees in their personal business creation projects. Projects led by other industrialists can be supported and subsidized in order to facilitate the establishment of new industrial units. Each project takes into account an analysis of the evolution of the markets in order to restore the competitiveness of the industrial sites over the long term. A Voluntary Agreement for Economic and Social Development (CVDES) is implemented to support the site and its ecosystem (subcontractors, stakeholders, etc.) during this period of change. In this way, TotalEnergies reaffirms its responsibility toward the employment basins in which the Company operates as well as its commitment to maintaining a strong and lasting industrial presence.
At the Carling industrial platform in France, following the shutdown of the second steam cracker in 2015, TotalEnergies led a forward-looking project. The CVDES relating to the Carling site was ended in 2018 with a final commitment of €12 million in grants from TotalEnergies for four industrial projects representing €125 million of investment and 143 jobs planned. TotalEnergies also committed to support these industrial projects until the effective start-up of the production units. Metabolic Explorer's industrial unit was inaugurated in September 2021, while construction of the Afyren Neoxy unit began in late 2020 for a planned start-up in 2022. The grants awarded by TotalEnergies and the support provided to these startups have helped create jobs with a future in the biochemistry field.
The conversion of the La Mède refinery in France, which involved an initial investment of more than €275 million, has been completed, with the start-up of an 8 MW solar power plant in 2018 and the first French biorefinery in July 2019. The CVDES signed for La Mède for the period 2016-2019, extended for 2020, was closed in March 2021. TotalEnergies has supported subcontractors and 8 industrial projects and 3 industrial demonstrators, with the planned creation of nearly 300 jobs.
At the Lacq platform, also in France), a specific unit of TotalEnergies researches and examines third-party industrial projects that could join the platform in partnership with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the Pau-Béarn Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), the Chemparc public interest group, the Lacq-Orthez district authority and Sobegi. In October 2021, the groundbreaking ceremony for the green chemicals project led by Alpha Chitin was held (€14 million investment and 20 jobs created for the first phase). At the end of 2021, the Caremag magnet recycling project announced its decision to locate in the Lacq basin (€42 million investment and 50 to 70 jobs created). The coordinated efforts of local stakeholders, including TotalEnergies, have helped launch the creation of new, forward-looking industries on the site in the fields of biochemistry and biotechnology for the energy transition.
At the Grandpuits platform, in France, TotalEnergies is supporting the project to convert the site into a “zero-oil” platform as announced in September 2020 and representing a planned investment of €500 million. The Grandpuits platform will include four major activities: the transformation of biomass into biofuels, the production of bioplastics, the recycling of plastic waste and the production of solar energy. The CVDES between the public authorities and TotalEnergies sets a budget of nearly €5 million dedicated to supporting the Grandpuits and Gargenville employment areas and, in particular, subcontractors and the reception of new industrial jobs, with a view to a fair transition.
Finally, TotalEnergies supports the creation or maintenance of sustainable jobs in France by granting loans to SMEs, particularly those with projects that contribute to the ecological and energy transition. Between 2019 and 2021, loans were granted to 423 SME projects, amounting to a total of €16 million, and nearly 11,000 jobs were supported.
Managing societal challenges related to the Company’s activities
A structured operational societal approach
The Company integrates societal issues into the conduct of its operations through its One MAESTRO reference framework (see “Health and safety for everyone” section). Guides, manuals, video tutorials and a community of practices, available online to all TotalEnergies' subsidiaries, help them implement their operational societal approach, which is adapted to the specific local requirements of the regions and communities. The main steps in this process are :
- dialogue and involvement of local stakeholders;
- the analysis of the challenges and local societal context;
- the development of a societal strategy integrated with operations;
- the implementation and the monitoring of societal actions and projects.
- the implementation of a complaints management system.
Dialogue and local stakeholder involvement
TotalEnergies promotes dialogue with stakeholders to develop constructive and transparent relationships with them. To this end, TotalEnergies' One MAESTRO framework requires subsidiaries to engage in a structured, regular dialogue with their stakeholders to inform them, listen to them and take their concerns and expectations into account. It also requires subsidiaries to report on actions to avoid, reduce or offset negative impacts, and to measure stakeholder satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. TotalEnergies acknowledges the specificities of the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples (International Labor Organization Convention No. 169) and has developed a framework which defines principles to be followed with these communities. It encourages the use of experts in order to identify and understand these peoples’ expectations and specificities, to consult them and to contribute to their socio-economic development. This initiative is also consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
In the Refining & Chemicals segment, refineries and petrochemical sites put consultation with stakeholders at the heart of their ongoing improvement strategy and are all ISO 14001 certified. Local structures for dialogue have been set up, such as Community Advisory Panels in the United States and specific local committees for certain European platforms (e.g. Feyzin neighbors’ conference and Donges residential committee).
Marketing & Services has developed stakeholder engagement tools which are adapted to the diversity of its businesses (oil terminals, filling sites, lubricant plants, road transportation and service stations) which can be easily adapted in a wide variety of contexts and regions.
For Exploration & Production projects, dialogue is initiated from the exploration phase, even when TotalEnergies does not have permanent teams on site. Each subsidiary or project develops an engagement plan with stakeholders describing a process for transparent dialogue, as well as the timetable and means of ensuring its implementation. A network of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) has been rolled out on the ground covering most of the projects to provide information to and consult with neighboring communities, authorities and other local stakeholders, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups. Employed by TotalEnergies, they speak the local languages and understand local customs. Their role is crucial for establishing good relations between TotalEnergies and its stakeholders.
For example, in 2021:
- In Denmark, an analysis of the perception of the Exploration &Production segment's activities by external stakeholders was carried out using the internal Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM+) methodology. In particular, it allowed to assess the impact of the acquisition of Maersk in 2018.
- In Tanzania and Uganda, as part of the Tilenga and EACOP projects in the Exploration & Production segment, TotalEnergies has made public the societal reports that have been completed, such as the Environmental and Societal Impact Assessment (ESIA), the Human Rights Impact Assessment for the Uganda project, and reports from independent NGOs. In addition, the subsidiary has appointed a person specifically in charge of relations with NGOs, particularly on the subject of human rights of the populations living near its operations.
- In South Africa, for the Exploration & Production segment, a person was hired to help establish a transparent dialogue with stakeholders and to address their concerns. Specific meetings have been organized with civil society, local authorities, NGOs and fishing associations in order to ensure that these parties are involved in the impact assessment process.
- In Papua New Guinea subsidiary, the local subsidiary of the Exploration & Production segment has set up a toll-free number so that local communities can easily contact it. In 2021, over 200 calls were received, mostly related to job training awards and business and employment opportunities with regards to the Papua LNG project.
- In France, as part of the project to transform the Grandpuits refinery into a zero oil platform, a public consultation on the recycling project was held from April 5 to 30, 2021. The objective was to present its main characteristics and effects on the territory as well as to answer questions and collect observations in order to draw lessons for the continuation of the project.
The Donges refinery opened the Maison du Projet in June. This reception point for the general public and schoolchildren provides information about TotalEnergies, the refinery and the project through a touch table, fun quizzes, business films and a virtual immersion in the production units. This place of exchange is the materialization of a wish expressed by local residents to the refinery teams during the voluntary consultation meetings conducted in early 2018 as part of the project.
On the Lacq platform, SOBEGI and all the industrials present on the platform have created an action plan to identify and remedy to gas emissions, generating notably odours.
Analysis of challenges and societal context
The assessment of societal risks and issues is a key element in the evaluation of the feasibility of a project. An assessment of the societal risks and challenges is thus one of the criteria for making investment, acquisition and divestment decisions concerning projects presented to the Company’s Risk Committee.
When the decision is taken to develop a project, this assessment is complemented by a detailed baseline study to identify in advance the stakeholders potentially affected, describe the local context and assess the main socio-economic and cultural stakes (risks and opportunities) in the affected area. A societal impact study is then conducted to assess and analyze the opportunities and the direct, indirect or cumulative risks of the project in the short, medium and long term. In 2021, 103 of these studies were launched or carried out in the Integrated Gas, Renewables & Power segment (compared to 50 in 2020) and 13 in Exploration & Production (as in 2020).
In the operations phase, the One MAESTRO standard requires that a regular assessment of HSE context and issues be carried out by the subsidiaries and updated at least every five years.
In the development and operational phases of the project, context analysis is based largely on mapping and consultation with stakeholders such as authorities, neighboring communities, economic operators and civil society. The analysis of societal risks takes into account the sensitivity of the socio-economic environment and the severity of societal impacts related to the activities, including on human rights.
In 2021, a new digital tool, SOCRAT (Societal Risk Assessment Tool), enabled operating subsidiaries to assess their societal context, risks and impacts with their stakeholders. This tool facilitates the definition of an action plan to reduce such risks and impacts. It also makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of actions and thus of the societal performance. After being tested in five Exploration & Production subsidiaries, the tool has begun to be deployed in the Exploration & Production and Marketing & Services segments and should be rolled out throughout the Company in 2022.
In 2021, a new mobile app, SIMBA, for continuously recording and tracking of the opinions, concerns and expectations of stakeholders was developed. The app helps identify and understand the local context and facilitates ongoing analysis. After being deployed in Mozambique, the application is now used on several sites in the Refining & Chemicals segment, including the Port Arthur site in Texas.
Development of a societal strategy integrated into operations
Every subsidiary pays close attention to local issues by establishing its societal strategy, defining it in terms of targets and priority fields of action that take account of:
- the regulatory and contractual framework and applicable international standards;
- the analysis of the challenges and the societal context;
- the Company’s ambitions and voluntary commitments vis-à-vis civil society.
To structure this approach, TotalEnergies relies on the Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM+) in-house methodology, which helps subsidiaries define their societal strategy and associated action plans.
Each societal strategy is specific since it depends on a context. In general however, they are structured around three pillars:
- dialogue and involvement of local stakeholders;
- avoiding, reducing and offsetting the societal impacts linked to the Company’s activities;
- developing initiatives to create a positive impact on neighboring local communities.
Implementing and monitoring societal actions and projects
TotalEnergies' subsidiaries implement and monitor the corporate strategy. The societal teams reporting to the HSE division of TotalEnergies contribute their expertise to the operational subsidiaries to implement the One MAESTRO framework. Societal aspects are included within the scope of the One MAESTRO audits that produce recommendations to reinforce control of operations. Moreover, the subsidiaries must conduct a self-assessment of their societal initiative and an annual internal report to list the societal actions taken locally.
In terms of training, a societal module has been integrated into the HSE for Managers training program, 8 sessions of which were delivered in 2021 with a total of 167 participants (see “health and safety for everyone” [LIEN] section). Training on societal performance is also being deployed in Exploration & Production to raise awareness among various lines of business about societal issues and the tools available. 6 half-day sessions were conducted in 2021, for a total of 70 people trained.
Des webinaires réunissant près de 190 participants ont été organisés en octobre 2021 pour le lancement de la campagne de reporting sociétal.
Handling grievances from neighboring communities
The One MAESTRO reference framework provides that the Company’s operating subsidiaries (4) are expected to implement grievance handling procedures aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These provide residents and local communities with a preferential and easily accessible channel to voice their concerns and grievances and involve them in finding a solution. At every stage of the asset life cycle, from developing a project to cessation of activity and divestment, the Company intends to provide swift and appropriate responses to people or organizations that have been adversely affected. As part of a continuous improvement process, analysis of all grievances received helps improve operations. Grievance management forms part of the Company’s societal reporting and is one its performance indicators. The subsidiaries of the Exploration & Production (EP), Refining & Chemicals (RC) and Marketing & Services (M&S) segments of the One MAESTRO roll-out scope with operational activity in 2021 (see “Reporting scopes and methodology” section) continued the implementation and improvement of their grievance handling system.
Societal indicator | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of EP, RC and M&S segments’ operating subsidiaries in the One MAESTRO roll-out scope with an operational activity which have a grievance mechanism in place | 100% | 99% | 47% |
Grievances received by the Company’s subsidiaries in connection with the societal impact of their activities correspond to the following: access to land and habitat, economic losses/loss of livelihood, dangers for the environment and health, employment and value chain, road safety/logistics and transportation, adverse impact on culture and heritage, security and social conduct, quality of local dialogue and management of economic development projects.
(4) Subsidiaries included in the scope of roll-out of One MAESTRO (see “Reporting scopes and methodology” section) and having an operational activity, i.e., excluding commercial offices, trading activities and Exploration & Production subsidiaries with no exploration or production operations in 2021.
Examples of management of negative impacts linked to operational activities
Following the analysis of the challenges and the societal context, the actions taken by subsidiaries to minimize the impacts are adapted to the reality of the situation on the ground.
Impacts for local communities on access to land, maritime space and resources
In Mozambique, the identification of impacts related to land and livelihoods has led to a multi-year action plan (2018-2022) for local populations: construction of housing, programs to develop agricultural and fishing activities, and relocation of burial sites. The subsidiary also supported programmes for food aid, access to housing and aid for vulnerable people.
In Uganda, as part of the Tilenga project, 400 meetings were held with stakeholders, half of which were related to the implementation of the displacement and resettlement plan for local communities linked to land access. For this purpose, nearly 180 people were recruited (project management, legal aspects, dialogue, assessment, etc.).
As part of livelihood restoration, transitional assistance for 4,250 households began in December 2021.
Impacts for local communities on access to land, maritime space and resources
In Tanzania, archaeological surveys were conducted on the sites under construction. Three archaeological sites were identified and excavated with the support of the national antiquities department.
Other impacts
In the context of the natural gas liquefaction terminal project in Mozambique, a system of complaints was set up to address the potential impacts of operations and human rights, particularly those related to the actions of the country's security forces in the area.
In Uganda, in 2021, a contract was signed with the International Organization for Migration and Aceleron to create a mobile unit for repairing solar lamps and to recover used battery cells to make new battery packs.
Examples of contribution to socio-economic development in favor of local communities
First and foremost, the local projects address the issues of development and solidarity identified thanks to consultations with local communities, and favor cooperation and skills development.
Access to basic needs (access to energy, water, health, etc.)
In connection with the Company’s raison d'être to provide accessible energy to as many people as possible, the Integrated Gas, Renewables & Power segment developed a range of solar solutions to provide access to distributed energy in 38 countries in 2021. By the end of 2021, 4.2 million solar lamps and kits had been sold, giving 18.7 million people access to energy and avoiding 4.7 million tons of CO2. The Company’s aim is to equip 25 million people by 2025.
In France, TotalEnergies Marketing France (TMF) is pursuing its action to fight fuel poverty, by helping low-income households make their homes more energy efficient within the framework of a number of national programs and initiatives (€127.77 million spent by the Company in 2021). The commitment to combat fuel poverty also concerns mobility via a program to provide help with transportation for people looking for jobs in partnership with WIMOOV.
Development of local communities
In France, TotalEnergies Renouvables France proposes a number of projects eligible for participatory financing of electricity production sites through platforms labeled “Green Growth” in order to enable local citizens to benefit from additional income linked to the sale of electricity. In 2021, 16 projects representing a production capacity of 139 MWc were co-financed in this way by citizens. Four of them allowed the entry of local authorities into the capital. Throughout France, more than 1,200 local contributors took part in financing these projects, contributing €10.9 million. After setting up a first participatory investment campaign, TotalEnergies proposed a second participatory campaign, this time outside the regulatory obligation. The goal was to allow the nearest residents and the inhabitants of the Community of Communes to get involved in the Sarreguemines solar power plant project. In addition, at the hospital in Chalon-sur-Saône, a participatory investment project was carried out with hospital staff and local residents to install solar panels on parking lot shade structures.
In Mozambique, the Exploration & Production segment launched Catalisa, a five-year program with its technical partner TechnoServe and the authorities of the Cabo Delgado province in the districts of Pemba, Palma, Montepuez, Chiure and Ancuabe. The aim is to support the province’s economic development with the education and vocational training of young people, as well as agro-industrial development (poultry and horticulture). At year-end 2021, the program had helped 948 farmers improve their productivity and meet local needs by creating 441 jobs. In addition, 500 young people took part in the development program and 22 new graduates received financial support to start their own businesses.
In Germany, following major adverse weather events in 2021, the Marketing & Services segment provided more than €65,000 worth of fuel to rescue teams.
In Belgium, Marketing & Services employees helped flood victims by cleaning up their flooded homes and distributing food and clothing.
In French Polynesia, the Hello Scoot' program lends free parking spaces in some gas stations for self-service electric scooters (with solar charging).
In Papua New Guinea, in partnership with all stakeholders (Gulf province, ministry of community development, local businesses, foundations, international development agencies, community representatives, the local health committee, local women’s cooperative etc.) projects to support health, education and local economic development were launched. In 2021, 71 students completed their maintenance and carpentry training through the Vocational Scholarship Program.
In Argentina, a subsidiary of the Exploration & Production segment has been working for 10 years with local goat farmers on a sustainable rural development program in cooperation with consulting firm Halkis. Its aim is to provide technical and professional advice for farmers in partnership with local agencies.
Diversified programmes
In Marketing & Services, a social programme was launched in April 2020 on the African continent, based on the geographical footprint of its network of 4,800 service stations in 37 countries. The programme has been approved by the Marketing & Services segment's Management Committee and is steered by each subsidiary. It focuses on six areas:
Il se concentre autour de 6 axes :
- end of plastic bags at service stations. This objective was achieved in 2021, opening the way to replacing plastic in other consumables;
- solarisation of more than 2,400 service stations before the end of 2022. At the end of 2021, more than 1,400 service stations were solarised on the continent;
- promotion of road safety, with the marketing and distribution of accessories (safety waistcoats, helmets for two-wheelers, etc.) and the organisation of customer events;
- access to free WIFI in service stations for customers, in a context where the cost of access to data is still very high, with the aim of equipping 2,000 service stations. By the end of 2021, more than 500 service stations will offer this service;
- reduce the environmental footprint of the service stations, particularly in the areas of recycling used oil, reducing energy consumption and recycling plastic waste from stations and customers. On this last point, partnerships have been formed with local players, such as Mr Green in Kenya, Coliba in Côte d'Ivoire and Voltic in Ghana. Projects are also being studied for the treatment and recycling of water at the stations;
- collaboration with schools near the stations. The network's teams are involved with these schools in awareness-raising campaigns, improving schooling conditions, providing infrastructure or welcoming young people on work experience.
Engaging in citizenship initiatives: TotalEnergies Foundation program
In addition to the solutions proposed by TotalEnergies in response to the direct expectations of the people related to its operations, the Company aims to contribute to local actions in the countries where it operates by addressing global societal challenges.
The TotalEnergies Foundation program
Being present in over 130 countries, TotalEnergies has witnessed the escalation in inequality and social and environmental challenges, which affect young people in particular. Since 2017, the TotalEnergies Foundation program has covered the solidarity initiatives conducted every day worldwide by TotalEnergies, its subsidiaries and its corporate foundation. Its aim is to contribute to the vitality of the host communities and regions in which the Company is based by giving in particular to 12- to 25-year-olds the means to determine their own future.
The TotalEnergies Foundation program favors collective action and aims to involve all players in the region, including charities from both the public and private sectors. This joint approach based on local needs also allows the testing and rolling out of new solidarity models.
In addition to financial backing, the program’s partners receive support to help them develop and achieve their goals. For example, such support may concern the digital domain, strategy, communication or impact assessment. A community of players linked to the program is coordinated in order to facilitate exchanges and possible connections among associations working on the same themes. It took shape with the holding of a partners' day that brought together more than 70 associations in September 2021.
Lastly, since 2018, through the employees’ solidarity engagement program Action!, employees have been able to devote up to three workdays a year to general interest projects. By the end of 2021, the program had been introduced in 93 countries, and more than 17,400 solidarity actions had been carried out since its launch. In France, employees were also able to provide financial support to four associations participating in the Action! program.
Four areas of action
The TotalEnergies Foundation program is based on four societal challenges, in line with the Company’s history, values and businesses.
Youth education and inclusion
Unemployment and job insecurity are affecting more and more young people all over the world. The first aspect of the TotalEnergies Foundation program aims to empower young people who are socially vulnerable, by means of support and guidance, training, particularly in industry, and integration into the world of work.
In this context, for example, the Industry of the Future campus, INDUSTREET, located in Stains in the Paris region, which celebrated its first anniversary at the end of 2021, will have welcomed nearly 200 young people in training. This new industry training center provides free training and offers innovative teaching to young people who are interested in new jobs in industry. Over time, it plans to provide places for 400 young people between 18 and 25 each year.
Also, since 2018, the TotalEnergies Corporate Foundation has committed to supporting the deployment of production schools in industrial professions throughout France for 10 years. This significant financial support will increase the number of schools from 25 in 7 regions to 100 schools throughout France by 2028. By the end of 2021, the TotalEnergies Corporate Foundation will have contributed to the creation of 18 new schools and the extension of 10 existing schools.
Lastly, in 2021, the TotalEnergies Corporate Foundation also launched its second call for partners in France and selected nine new associations to broaden its scope of action, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, mentoring and teacher-business relations.
Road safety
Road accidents are the leading cause of death among young people worldwide. The second priority of the TotalEnergies Foundation program is to ensure safer mobility in order to contribute to the global target of the UN's Action Plan for the decade 2021-2030 of cutting the number of deaths and injuries on the road by 50 % between now and 2030. Its actions include educating young people by means of local awareness-raising, training and advocacy efforts, as well as participation in and support for the initiatives of international organizations.
In this context by way of example in 2021 the TotalEnergies corporate Foundation continued to deploy the VIA program to educate young people in road safety, mobility and citizenship in Argentina, Cameroon, Egypt, Fiji, France, India, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Romania, Senegal, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand and Togo. Support for the NGO Yours (Youth for Road Safety), a global coalition of young people for road safety, was maintained, as was support for the NGO Amend, which targets motorcyclists in Africa, and for the NGO Global Alliance, which aims to increase the skills of local NGOs by specifically funding its African chapter. A new partnership was established with the International Road Federation, to promote access to reliable road safety data.
Climate, coastal areas and oceans
The third focus of the TotalEnergies Foundation program is to support initiatives that benefit coastal areas and the oceans, in particular to preserve the services they provide to people in a context of climate change.
Coastal areas and oceans pose major environmental and climate challenges. The objective of the TotalEnergies Foundation program Attention in this area is to act to preserve coastal and oceanic ecosystems, to develop and share knowledge about the interactions between climate, coastal areas and oceans by involving applied research experts, young people and the general public, and lastly to allow young people to discover coastal areas (field trips, training in maritime careers).
Within this framework, by way of example, in 2021 the TotalEnergies corporate Foundation continued the partnership initiated in 2018 with the French National Forestry Office, in particular by supporting an experimental project aimed at optimizing the resilience of dunes to climate change on the Atlantic coast. It also renewed its support for the Port-Cros National Park in a project to raise awareness and educate users of the National Park about the environment. This project aims in particular to give as many people as possible a better understanding of the stakes involved in preserving Mediterranean biodiversity.
Dialogue on culture and heritage
The slackening of social ties makes young people more vulnerable and regional cohesion more fragile. The fourth axis of the TotalEnergies Foundation program aims to strengthen social cohesion and empower young people through culture and heritage by supporting artistic creation with a social impact by and for young people, attributing value to cultural diversity and preserving heritage.
Within this framework, by way of example, in 2021, the TotalEnergies corporate Foundation supported 11 restoration projects providing employment for young people in France through its partnership with the Fondation du Patrimoine (Heritage Foundation). In the field of artistic and cultural education, in 2021, 15 partnerships were set up to promote the empowerment and integration of young people as citizens into society. Lastly, the TotalEnergies corporate Foundation sponsored Africa 2020 to showcase the creative vitality of Africa and its youth (a project that took place in 2021 against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic), Arab Divas at the Arab World Institute and Ex-Africa at the Musée du Quai Branly, whose running times were cut short due to the health situation.
Mobilization in the face of the crisis in Myanmar
In the context of this political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, the Company intended that in 2021 a donation equivalent to the taxes it would have to pay to the State be made to humanitarian organizations. Thus, a donation agreement was signed with the World Food Program which made the distribution of food possible to vulnerable populations in the outskirts of Rangoon and Mandalay. An agreement was also signed in 2021 with the FXB Foundation to finance two mobile clinics on the Irrawaddy River. Finally, an agreement with the Pro Asia Endowment Fund was established to allow the construction of a hospital in Mandalay.
In January 2022, due to the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation and the rule of law in Myanmar, TotalEnergies announced its decision to initiate the contractual process of withdrawing from the Yadana field and from MGTC in Myanmar, both as operator and as shareholder, without any financial compensation for TotalEnergies.