In a rare appearance at the United Nations climate conference, TotalEnergies Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne became one of the few oil industry leaders to attend COP30 in Brazil, where he engaged in a heated exchange with environmental activists.
Confrontation Over Climate Responsibility
The French energy executive found himself defending his presence at the Belem conference on Friday, November 14, 2025, after speaking on a panel about decarbonizing the oil and gas industry. A Greenpeace activist directly confronted Pouyanne, demanding that the fossil fuel industry provide compensation for victims of extreme weather events intensified by climate change.
"There have been cyclones in the Caribbean for decades," Pouyanne retorted during the exchange. When the activist countered that these storms were accelerating, the CEO responded, "I am not a scientist."
Questioning Scientific Consensus
Later questioned by AFP about scientific evidence showing hurricanes are becoming more intense, Pouyanne further distanced himself from the research. "I am not a meteorologist," he stated, adding that "I simply observe that, unfortunately, there were (cyclones), there are still (cyclones) and there will be more."
This position contrasts with findings from the IPCC, the UN-mandated body that assesses climate science. The IPCC has concluded that while climate change isn't expected to increase the total number of tropical cyclones, the frequency of more intense storms will definitely rise.
Defending Industry Presence
The TotalEnergies leader strongly rejected characterization as a lobbyist despite a report from NGOs highlighting the significant fossil fuel industry presence at the climate talks. According to analysis by Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO), approximately 1,602 delegates with links to the oil, gas and coal sectors traveled to Belem - equivalent to about one in every 25 participants.
"I am not a lobbyist at all. ... You are very wrong," Pouyanne insisted. "I was invited. I came and I believe in dialogue. I don't think we will make progress on climate through exclusion because otherwise what will happen? We will stay in our corner, we'll make our oil and that's it?"
The executive also expressed skepticism about creating a formal roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, an initiative that France and several other countries hope to launch at COP30. "It's a European vision, organized by governments. Perhaps we should also trust the stakeholders who are investing," Pouyanne commented, adding that "Thinking that we'll succeed through regulation alone -- we're starting to realize that won't work."
The panel discussion occurred amid other conference disruptions, including the cancellation of COP30 head Andre Correa do Lago's appearance to address Indigenous protesters who had blocked the main access to the conference center.
