FirstGroup Recognised Among World's Cleanest 200 Firms
FirstGroup plc, a prominent private sector supplier of public transportation, has been acknowledged as one of the few UK companies included in the 2023 Clean200 report.
Specifically, FirstGroup is one of only six British firms to earn a spot on the list. This year's report also highlights FirstGroup as the only European passenger transport operator to be featured, marking the company's fourth consecutive year of recognition.
The sustainable business media group Corporate Knights, in conjunction with the U.S. non-profit organisation As You Sow, publishes the Clean200 report annually. This report ranks the world's biggest publicly listed firms based on their overall clean energy revenue from products and services that provide solutions for a cleaner future and the planet. The report includes companies involved in the provision of infrastructure and services necessary to transition to a green and clean economy.
FirstGroup's bus and rail services are crucial in combating climate change and improving air quality. First Bus has committed to attaining a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 and no longer acquires new diesel buses. To support this goal, First Bus placed one of the largest electric vehicle orders ever in the UK with UK manufacturer Wrightbus in 2022. This order, which received support from the Government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) funding, secured an additional 193 electric buses to be distributed across various cities in the UK.
As part of First Rail's commitment to supporting the UK Government's aim of removing all diesel-only traction from the network by 2040, Great Western Railway is continuing with its fast-charging battery trial. Lumo, FirstGroup's all-electric service between London and Edinburgh, transported over one million passengers in its first year, facilitating a successful modal shift with more individuals selecting rail travel over air travel between the two capital cities for the first time.
FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, Graham Sutherland, said, “FirstGroup is committed to accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon world to help address the challenges of climate change. We’re pleased that our activities are recognised through our inclusion in this year’s Clean200 list. As a leading provider of bus and rail transport, we have a key role to play in creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.”
Source: FirstGroup
