Jean-Michel Gires,
Executive Vice President, Sustainable Development and the Environment

  
   
Total created a Sustainable Development and Environment Division in January 2002. Is that when the company first became interested in sustainable development?
 
Sustainable development is an integral part of our corporate culture and core business. The nature of our operations long ago led us to consider the environmental and social aspects of our projects. However, we have substantially enhanced the organization underpinning our sustainable development process in recent years. In early 2000, in-house working groups began conducting tangible, pragmatic studies to identify five main areas of action: resource development, renewable energies, product improvements, community relations, and environmental stewardship. This work prompted us to create the Sustainable Development and Environment Division in 2002 to lead studies and coordinate all related initiatives.

Now that everyone is jumping on the sustainable development bandwagon, what’s different about Total’s approach?
 
It is true that all companies are concerned by this issue, since sustainable development is a general expectation of society. Moreover, we can applaud the fact that all industries are actively engaged in sustainable development and demonstrating a commitment to making further progress and improvements. However, our approach stands out in two respects. First, it is very hands-on, pragmatic, local and close to people on the front lines. Second, it addresses the diversity of our businesses and locations.

To what extent does sustainable development concern the environment?
 
Our sustainable development approach focuses on many environmental challenges, such as climate change and abating greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and reducing nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions, and biodiversity and minimizing our impact on vulnerable ecosystems. However, sustainable development clearly encompasses more than just the environment. To give just one example, we assign considerable importance to integrating our operations into local communities. We strive to maintain good relations with our host communities, in particular in the areas of economic and social development and reducing disamenities.

Is Total committed to sustainable development just to have a clear conscience?
 
The issue is not having a clear conscience, but meeting the expectations of society. Nor is it about making people like us—a perhaps illusory goal for an oil company—but making ourselves understood, so that the gap between the company and society does not widen. It is crucial for us to renew the spirit of dialogue, transparency, outreach and sensitivity to stakeholders. We should be capable of explaining what we do more clearly and improving in areas that society considers to be important.