Commenting on the DfT's publication of Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain, a FirstGroup spokesperson said:
"FirstGroup is ready to play its part in accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon world and we welcome the announcement of today’s plan. But the Government needs to prioritise getting people out of cars and planes and on to buses and trains - this is change that can be achieved now without having to wait for further innovation or cheaper batteries.
“Without greater use of public transport, the country simply won't be able to achieve its net-zero goals. Increasing car occupancy, even in electric vehicles, does nothing to solve the problem of congestion and taking more private vehicles off the road.
“We urge the Government to push harder to help achieve this modal shift to public transport, through further consideration of road pricing; support for the bus industry to meet the Prime Minister’s target of 4,000 zero emission buses by the end of 2024; and a clear programme of electrification for rail.”
Background
- FirstGroup‘s strategic framework for sustainability, Mobility Beyond Today, sets out the company’s ambition to be the partner of choice for innovative and sustainable transport for a zero-carbon future. The Group’s leadership in this area has already been recognised through inclusion in this year’s Clean200 list, meaning that FirstGroup is one of the cleanest 200 companies worldwide; and as the only UK transport operator in S&P’s Sustainability Yearbook.
- We announced our commitment to set a science-based target in April. A science-based target (‘SBT’) provides a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and ensuring sustainable business growth.
- An emissions target is considered ‘science-based’ if it is in line with the reductions needed to meet the global commitment under the Paris Agreement to limit climate warming to 1.5°C by 2050, thereby mitigating the worst impacts of climate change. In the long term, a shift to zero emissions public transport and active travel – moving people out of cars and planes – is vital to achieving this global goal. FirstGroup’s final and interim targets will be verified by the Science Based Targets initiative and published, alongside the first year’s progress, over the coming financial year.
- Alongside the SBT commitment, FirstGroup has also become the first public transport operator in the UK to sign the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5 pledge which calls on businesses to set science-based targets to achieve net zero emissions.