Sustainability Glossary
Sustainability Glossary
Sustainability Glossary
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Definitions
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Units of measurement
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Acronyms
Definitions
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
B
- Biofuel: Liquid fuel for transport produced from biomass.
- Biogas: Gaseous combustible or fuels produced from biomass.
- Biomass: Organic material excluding the material that is fossilised or embedded in geological formations.
- Biomethane: Biogas whose characteristics allow its injection into a natural gas network.
C
- Carbon neutrality ambition, together with society: Ambition of the Company as described in 1.2.3 of chapter 1 of its Universal Registration Document.
- Carbon sinks: Natural reservoir (e.g. vegetation, oceans) or artificial reservoir (e.g. CCS) that stores carbon in different forms.
- CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage): Capture and transport of CO₂ for long term geological storage.
- CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization): Capture and transport of CO₂ for its use in the production of synthetic products, chemicals, or fuels.
- Contractor/service provider personnel: Any employee of a contractor or service provider working at a site that is part of the safety reporting Scope or assigned by a transport company under a long-term contract.
D
- Decarbonization: Actions aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of activities or products and/or greenhouse gas emissions from activities.
E
- Enabled emissions reductions: Difference between the emissions associated to a reference electricity generation (alternative source) and the emissions associated with solution proposed by the Company, either electricity generated thanks to gas supplied by TotalEnergies (by regasifying LNG) or electricity generated by renewable power plants owned by the Company (solar and wind). For LNG sales, the Company has identified, for each LNG-receiving country or region, the likely source of competing flexible power generation (alternative source). When the final use for power generation is established and the alternative source of power is identified, the difference between emissions from the alternative fuel (fuel oil or coal) and natural gas has been calculated, by using power generation emission factors of each country or region(1) for each of these sources(2). For the countries where the final use of LNG sales is not identified, this method is applied to LNG sales volumes weighed by the percentage of gas used for power generation in the overall local natural gas consumption(3). For renewable power generation, the methodology compares emissions from the country’s alternative non-renewable mix (alternative source according to IRENA’s methodology) and the ones from solar or wind generation. The applied emission factors (published by IEA) cover the entire life cycle of power generation(4). Non-renewable production mixes are based on IEA data(5) by country or continent(6).
(1) France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are considered as a single electricity and gas network.
(2) Emission factors associated with combustion published in 2025 by IEA for the year 2023, except for France where the emission factors published by RTE France were used.
(3) Distribution of gas use and electricity production mix for 2024 provided by Enerdata
(4) Combustion and upstream emission factors published in 2025 by IEA for the year 2023.
(5) STEPS scenario of the World Energy Outlook 2025.
(6) Europe is considered as a single electricity network.
F
- Non-routine flaring: Flaring other than routine flaring and safety flaring occurring primarily during occasional and intermittent events.
- Routine flaring: Flaring during normal production operations conducted in the absence of sufficient facilities or adequate geological conditions for the reinjection, on-site utilization or sale of the gas produced (as defined by the working group of the Global Gas Flaring Reduction program as part of the World Bank’s Zero Routine Flaring initiative). Routine flaring does not include safety flaring.
- Safety flaring: Flaring to ensure the safe performance of operations conducted at the production site (emergency shutdown, safety-related testing, etc.).
G
- GHG: The seven greenhouse gases in the Kyoto protocol, namely CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and NF3, with their respective GWP (Global Warming Potential) as described in the most recent IPCC report. HFCs, PFCs, SF6 and NF3 are virtually absent from the Company’s emissions and are not accounted for by the Company.
- Gross installed capacity: Cumulative gross capacity of a site’s electricity generation facilities in operation, without taking into account losses, availability factors or grid constraints. It reflects the theoretical maximum capacity that the facilities can produce at the injection point under standard conditions. It is expressed on a 100% basis regardless of the ownership interest held in the asset.
H
- Hydrocarbon spills: Accidental spills of liquid hydrocarbons that have an environmental impact and exceed one barrel in volume, excluding acts of sabotage and theft.
I
- Intensity of CO2 equivalent: Emissions Scope 1+2 GHG emissions from the facilities operated by the Company for its upstream oil & gas activities (kg) divided by the Company’s operated hydrocarbon production in barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
- Intensity of methane emissions: Volume of methane emissions divided by the volume of commercial gas produced, from all facilities operated by the Company (oil and/or gas) for its upstream oil & gas activities.
L
- Lifecycle carbon intensity of energy products sold: This indicator measures the average GHG emissions of a unit of energy products used by the Company’s customers across its lifecycle (i.e., Scope 1+2+3), from production to end use by customers. This indicator is calculated as a division which takes into account:
- for the numerator, the sum of:
- emissions connected to the production and conversion of energy products used by the customers of the Company;
- emissions connected to the end use of energy products sold to the Company’s customers. For each product, stoichiometric emission factors are applied to these sales to obtain an emission volume. For the biofuel value chain, lifecycle emissions (production, processing and end use) are calculated on the basis of the emissions of the equivalent fossil fuel to which a standard abatement rate is applied . Non-energy use products (bitumen, lubricants, plastics, etc.) are not taken into account;
- negative emissions stored throught the use of Carbon Capture and Storage services marketed to third-party industrial emitters (storage as a service) and nature-based carbon sinks projects.
- for the denominator: the quantity of energy sold, this being the sum of:
- the energy quantities associated with the highest points in the oil and gas value chains, as determined in the Scope 3 calculation;
- energy quantities associated with sales of biofuels (Marketing & Services sales and bulk refining sales), biogas and hydrogen;
- quantities of electricity sold, based on sales by marketing entities in Europe, sales linked to aggregation activities (corresponding to medium/long-term purchases), production outside Europe and sales of EV charging station entities outside Europe. Electricity is placed on an equal footing with fossil fuels, taking into account average capacity factors and average efficiency ratios.
The carbon intensity indicator therefore corresponds to the average emissions associated with each unit of energy used by customers. To track changes in the indicator, it is expressed in base 100 compared to 2015.
- for the numerator, the sum of:
- Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR): Frequency rate of lost-time injuries.
- Lost Time Injury Severity (LTIS): Number of lost-time days due to accidents at work per million hours worked.
- Low carbon energies:
- Electricity generation activities (from renewable sources and flexible gas-fired capacities), electricity storage and trading, and BtB–BtC distribution of gas and electricity – these activities together form the Integrated Power segment;
- Activities related to low carbon molecules, namely: biofuels, biogas, renewable hydrogen, low carbon hydrogen, e-fuels/e-gas;
- Other low carbon technologies: CCS, Nature based solutions, plastic recycling, electromobility.
- Low-carbon hydrogen: Hydrogen whose energy content comes from non renewable sources and that meets a required level of greenhouse gas emission reduction compared to the fossil fuel comparator. In Europe, this reduction level is 70%, corresponding to a life cycle emission level for hydrogen of 3.38 kg CO2e/kg H2, according to the methodology of the European Directive 2018/2001 (RED II).
- Low carbon molecules: Biofuels, biogas, low carbon and renewable hydrogen, e-fuels / e-gases.
(7) The emission factors used are taken from a technical note of the CDP: Guidance methodology for estimation of Scope 3 category 11 emissions for oil and gas companies.
(8) The abatement rates applied to the emissions of biofuels compared to equivalent fossil fuels are in line with the minimums required by European regulations (RED II).
M
- Material sites for the environment: The sites of the subsidiaries in production for the Upstream oil and gas activities, the production sites with output above 250 kt/y in the Refining & Chemicals and Marketing & Services segments, as well as the gas-fired power plants in the Integrated Power segment, wich are operated by the Company.
N
- Nature-based solutions: Actions aimed at a sustainable management and use of nature in order to preserve or enhance carbon storage. TotalEnergies’ Nature based solutions aim to generate carbon credits for the voluntary compensation of the Company’s residual Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2030 onward while also seeking environmental, social and economic benefits.
O
- Operated oil & gas facilities: Facilities operated by the Company as part of its Upstream oil and gas activities as well as in its Refining & Chemicals and Marketing & Services segments. Facilities for power generation from renewable sources or natural gas, such as combined-cycle natural gas power plants are therefore excluded from this perimeter.
- Operated perimeter: Activities, sites and industrial assets of which TotalEnergies SE or one of its subsidiaries has operational control, i.e. has the responsibility of the conduct of operations on behalf of all its partners.
R
- Renewable hydrogen: Hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water (in an electrolyzer, powered by electricity) and with the electricity stemming from renewable sources. For renewable hydrogen production, greenhouse gas emissions over the entire life cycle are close to zero. Renewable hydrogen can also be produced by reforming biogas (instead of natural gas) or by the biochemical conversion of biomass, provided the process meets the applicable sustainability requirements. For example, in Europe, the maximum greenhouse gas emission threshold for renewable hydrogen is 3.38 kg CO2e/kg H2 over the life cycle, according to the methodology of European Directive 2018/2001 (RED II).
- Residual emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions that remain after implementing emission reduction measures.
S
- Scope 1 GHG emissions: Direct emissions of greenhouse gases from sites or activities that are included in the scope of reporting for climate change-related indicators. Direct biogenic CO₂ emissions are excluded from Scope 1 and reported separately.
- Scope 2 GHG emissions: Indirect emissions of greenhouse gases resulting from the production of electricity, steam, heat or cooling, purchased or acquired, and consumed by the sites or activities included in the scope of reporting for climate change-related indicators, net from potential energy sales, excluding purchased industrial gases (H₂). If not stated otherwise, TotalEnergies reports Scope 2 GHG emissions according to the market-based method defined by the GHG Protocol. For the purposes of reporting under the ESRS standards, TotalEnergies also reports Scope 2 GHG emissions using the location based method.
- Scope 3 GHG emissions: Other indirect emissions. If not stated otherwise, TotalEnergies reports Scope 3 GHG emissions, category 11, which correspond to indirect GHG emissions related to the direct use-phase emissions of sold products over their expected lifetime (i.e., the Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of end users that occur from the combustion of fuels) in accordance with the definition of the GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard Supplement. The Company follows the oil & gas industry reporting guidelines published by IPIECA, which comply with the GHG Protocol methodologies. In order to avoid double counting, this methodology accounts for the largest volume in the oil and gas value chains, i.e. the higher of the two production volumes or sales for end use. A stoichiometric emission factor (oxidation of molecules to carbon dioxide) is applied to these sales or production to obtain an emission volume. In accordance with the Technical Guidance for Calculating Scope 3 Emissions Supplement to the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard which defines end users as both consumers and business customers that use final products, and with IPIECA’s Estimating petroleum industry value chain (Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions guidelines, under which reporting of emissions from fuel purchased for resale to non-end users (e.g. traded) is optional, TotalEnergies does not report emissions associated with trading activities. In accordance with ESRS, biogenic CO₂ emissions from the combustion or biodegradation of biomass (from sales of biofuels and biogas) are excluded from Scope 3 and disclosed separately.
- Serious road accident: Overturned vehicle or other accident resulting in the injury of a crew member or a passenger (recordable accident) involving a TotalEnergies vehicle or vehicle on long-term contract with TotalEnergies (> 6 months).
- Socle Social Commun or ‘Common Social Basis’: The Socle Social Commun or ‘Common Social Basis’ is composed of the subsidiaries in France that share the same agreements. Employees of the companies that form the Socle Social Commun benefit from shared social provisions, notably in the areas of health and life/disability insurance, profit-sharing and employee incentives, employee savings schemes, national and international mobility, and working time.
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): Molecules aiming to be incorporated into conventional fossilbased aviation fuel. It can be made through different technologies and from different feedstocks:
- biomass, e.g. waste and residues sourced from the circular economy such as used cooking oils (pursuant to regulations applicable in the various regions); for example, in Europe, the qualification of sustainable aviation fuel excludes the use of feedstocks derived from crops intended for human or animal consumption), via a mature technology available at industrial scale;
- green hydrogen and CO₂ (named e-fuels or synthetic fuels), via a technology still under development.
As of today, SAF is not used pure, but is incorporated in varying proportions up to 50% into conventional fossil-based aviation fuel. Incorporation rates vary depending on airlines requests and/or regulations applicable in the different countries. For instance, in Europe the regulation ReFuelEU Aviation (EU) 2023/2405 expects minimum shares of SAF calculated as an annual average across all airports in Europe (and then for each airport starting in 2035): 2% starting from 2025, 6% (including 1.2% of synthetic fuel) starting from 2030 and 70% (including 35% of synthetic fuel) starting from 2050. Used neat, SAF may allow, depending on the feedstocks used and the production pathways, a reduction of up to 90% CO2 emissions over its full lifecycle, compared with its fossil equivalent (pursuant to the methodology European directive (EU) 2018/2001 modified on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, named RED II.
T
- Tier 1 and Tier 2: Indicator of the number of loss of primary containment events with more or less significant consequences (fires, explosions, injuries, etc.), as defined by API 754 (for downstream) and IOGP 456 (for upstream) standards. Excluding acts of sabotage and theft.
- Transition strategy: Means the transition strategy of TotalEnergies as described in point 1.2 of the chapter 1 of the Universal Registration Document.
- Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR): Frequency rate of recordable injuries: number of recorded injuries per million hours worked.
- Upstream oil and gas activities: The Company’s Upstream hydrocarbons activities include the oil and gas exploration and production activities of the Exploration & Production and the Integrated LNG segments. They do not include power generation facilities based on natural gas such as combined-cycle natural gas power plants.
W
- Worldwide Human Resources Survey (WHRS): An annual study that includes approximately 300 workforce indicators linked to the Company’s Human Resources policies, such as mobility, talent development, training, working conditions, social dialogue, deployment of the Code of Conduct, human rights and health. The survey is conducted among a panel of companies representative of the Company (in terms of workforce and geographic areas), which each year accounts for approximately 90% of the Company's consolidated headcount.
Units of measurement
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
B
- B: Barrel
- B: Billion
- Boe/d: Barrel of oil equivalent per day
C
- CO2e: CO2 equivalent
E
- e: équivalent
G
- G: Giga
J
- J: Joule
K
- k: Thousand
M
- M: Million
- MMBtu: Million British Thermal Unit
- Mm3: Million cubic meters
- Mtpa: Million tons per year (of LNG)
P
- PJ: Petajoule (1015 joules)
T
- t: Metric ton
- toe: Ton of oil equivalent
- TWh: TTerawatt-hour
W
- W: Watt
Acronyms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z $
A
AI: Artificial Intelligence
B
BESS: Battery Energy Storage Systems
C
- CCGT: Combined Cycle with Gas Turbine
- CCS: Carbon Capture and Storage
- CCU: Carbon Capture and Utilization
- CCUS: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage
E
- EACOP: East African Crude Oil Pipeline
- EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
- ESS: Energy Storage Systems
F
- FEED: Front-end engineering design
- FID: Final Investment Decision
G
- GHG: Greenhouse Gas
- GRI: Global Reporting Initiative
- GRP: Gas, Renewables & Power
I
- IEA: International Energy Agency
- IPBES: Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
- IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- IPIECA: International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association
- IRENA: International Renewable Energy Agency
- ISSB: International Sustainability Standards Board
- IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature
L
- LNG: Liquefied Natural Gas
N
- NBS : Nature-Based Solutions
- NFE : North Field East (Qatar)
- NFS : North Field South (Qatar)
- NGV fuel: Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel
O
- OGCI: Oil & Gas Climate Initiative
R
- ROACE: Return on Average Capital Employed
- RTE: Transmission system operator (France)
S
- SAF: Sustainable Aviation Fuel
- SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission (US)
T
- TNFD: Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures
- UNEP-WCMC: United Nations Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre
- WBCSD: World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- WEF: World Economic Forum
- WEO: World Energy Outlook
- WRI: World Resources Institute
- $: Abbreviation for the United States dollar