Home Complaints database Greenpeace vs. TotalFinaElf
Complaint

Greenpeace vs. TotalFinaElf

TotalFinaElf’s oil supply from Russia

Date filed
10 April 2002
Keywords
Countries of harm
Current status
Rejected
Sector
NCP

Allegations

The complaint alleges TotalFinaElf and its Russian suppliers have committed environmental crimes. The complainants maintain that oil production in Russia violates German water pollution laws. By sourcing from Russian suppliers, TotalFinaElf is complicit the environmental destruction.

Greenpeace contends that TotalFinaElf’s headquarters in Berlin is at fault, because it makes the business decisions. In addition, Russian crude is delivered to the Leuna refinery in Germany.

The complaint also asks the German NCP to investigate leaking oil pipelines and the clean up of the tundra and taiga in Siberia, which is contaminated with oil.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

Outcome

Although the NCP held several meetings Greenpeace and TotalFinaElf, the case was rejected in May 2003 due to the lack of an investment nexus.

More details

Defendant
Company in violation
Complainants
Affected people

Documents

  • meeting
    1 October 2004

    Presentation given on the case.

    Greenpeace Germany
  • statement
    1 May 2003

    The NCP’s Annual Report states that one case was not accepted as there is no "investment nexus".

    NCP Germany
  • press release
    11 April 2002

    Press release regarding the complaint and criminal lawsuit.

    Greenpeace Germany
  • press release
    11 April 2002

    Response from TotalFinaElf denying the allegations.

    Total Fina Elf
  • file
    10 April 2002

    Complaint filed with the German NCP.

    Greenpeace Germany
  • legal complaint
    29 January 2002

    Greenpeace files a criminal lawsuit against TotalFinaElf.

    Greenpeace Germany