PARIS, April 18 Reuters A group of TotalEnergies investors is calling for the French oil and gas major to split the roles of CEO and chairman, which they say could speed up its shift away from fossil fuels.

The resolution to be proposed for inclusion at TotalEnergies39; annual general meeting on May 24 was put forward by 19 international investors holding around 20 million shares, together with Swiss pension fund investor group Ethos Foundation and the French Sustainable Investment Forum FIR.

Patrick Pouyanne has been CEO and chairman at the world39;s fifthlargest listed oil company for nearly a decade and spearheaded a strategy of growing oil and gas output while also increasing renewable energy.

The separation of functions could improve dialogue with the board … on climate transition issues and ensure a better balance of power at a time when many investors are of the opinion that TotalEnergies39; transition strategy is not ambitious enough, the resolution says.

TotalEnergies does not envision a major reduction in emissions from its products by 2030.

TotalEnergies39; board of directors will decide at an April 25 meeting whether the resolution will be accepted and added to the AGM agenda for a shareholder vote, a company spokesperson said.

In France, the choice of governance of the Company through a combined or dissociated Chairman and CEO role is by law a competence of the Board of directors, they said on Thursday.

A shareholder39;s resolution is likely to be…