FirstGroup recognised by three global sustainability benchmarks

FirstGroup has been named among the world’s top performing companies when it comes to sustainability and protecting the environment.

The bus and rail company has again been recognised by three influential corporate sustainability assessments.

This year, FirstGroup has increased its overall score from last year in the S&P Sustainability Yearbook, securing its place among the top 10% in the transport industry with marked improvements in environmental and social management, including energy and water use, and biodiversity protection.

As part of the recognition, data company S&P Global reviewed more than 9,200 companies, across 59 industries, against its Corporate Sustainability Assessment, which analyses the links between sustainability and companies’ business strategies.

FirstGroup is one of only 23 global transportation companies to feature in the latest Yearbook.

The company has also moved five places up the Clean200 ranking of the world’s largest public companies by sustainable revenue.

The Carbon Clean 200 list, published annually by research company Corporate Knights and not-for-profit corporate responsibility advocates As You Sow, places FirstGroup at number 118, making it the UK’s 4th top company.

The ranking assesses global companies based on revenue generated from sustainable products and services such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy efficiency.

This year 8,229 global companies were assessed with just 200 from 30 countries selected to appear on this list, including FirstGroup which was placed 28th out of 50 in its ‘industrials’ category.

In a further boost to FirstGroup’s work on sustainability, it has retained its ‘B’ rating with CDP, a non-profit which annually publishes one of the world’s largest datasets of how companies understand, manage and disclose environmental risks.

This year more than 22,100 worldwide companies were assessed, with FirstGroup maintaining its position and being recognised for having processes in place and taking action to manage environmental issues.

Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Being recognised on a global platform for our environmental, social and governance performance is testament to the work of our bus and rail teams in maintaining high standards across our business.

“As a private sector provider of public transport, we are leading the way with decarbonising our fleet, reducing emissions, improving air quality and protecting the environment, alongside investing in our people and creating a workforce of the future that reflects the communities we serve.”