French energy giant Total has confirmed it is no longer producing coal.

The news follows the sale of mine operator Total Coal South Africa.

CEO Patrick Pouyanné said the decision was “a matter of both consistent strategy and our credibility”.

He added: “Faced with the issue of climate change, Total is committed to promoting the use of natural gas, the cleanest fossil fuel, especially compared to coal, which emits twice as much greenhouse gas when used to generate power.

“We cannot claim to be providing solutions to climate change while continuing to produce or market coal, the fossil fuel that emits more greenhouse gas than any other.”

Mr Pouyanné said Total has also decided to divest its coal marketing operations.

Last month the company sold stakes in four gas fields to UK power supplier SSE in a deal worth £565 million.