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We are taking action to combat climate change and improve local air quality by delivering low and zero emission mobility solutions for our customers. Our goal is to eliminate the carbon emissions associated with our operations in line with the latest climate science and for our operations to be net-zero by 2050.
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Our commitments |
Our aims
 Zero-carbon
Eliminating the carbon emissions associated with our operations
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- To be the partner of choice for our customers, passengers and communities for low- and zero-emission mobility solutions
- To continue working with vehicle manufacturers, energy partners, our professional associations and others on the transition to low- and zero-emission mobility solutions
- To enhance our knowledge of the short-, medium- and long-term risks and opportunities for our business in the transition to a low-carbon economy
- To plan our transition in a way that means that we continue to drive growth, be cost efficient, build trust with our stakeholders and future proof our business
- To embed our approach of eliminating carbon and air emissions from our operations into our divisional strategies and business plans
- To address both air quality (e.g. NOx, PMs) and carbon emissions, ensuring we have a holistic and long-term plan
- To model science-based carbon reduction trajectories to 2040 to help inform our transition plans
- To understand the risks from the physical impacts of climate change in line with recognised climate change scenarios*, and build resilience where needed
- To be transparent with our progress and publicly disclose decision-useful climate-related financial information in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
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 Air quality
Improving local air quality in our towns and cities through cleaner fleets
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 Climate resilience
Incorporating climate adaptation measures to improve the resilience of our services
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The vital role of public transport has never been clearer in helping to address the challenges of climate change. We are therefore committed to delivering a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.
In line with our commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier, we have set a Group science‑based emissions reduction target aligned with a 1.5°C ambition and approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Our target is to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 63% by FY 2035 from a FY 2020 base year. Importantly, we also commit to reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from fuel and energy‑related activities by 20% by FY 2028 from a FY 2020 base year, and that 75% of our suppliers by emissions covering purchased goods and services and capital goods will have science‑based targets by FY 2028.
The significant majority of our carbon emissions is from the fuel and electricity used to power our road and rail fleet. We have reduced our total carbon emissions by 24% and carbon emissions per £m revenue by 43% since 2019.
The primary drivers for our continued performance are:
- our decarbonisation programme in First Bus to achieve a 100% zero emission bus fleet by 2035
- increased use of electric traction in First Rail, such as through our fully electric Lumo services from London to Edinburgh
- greening of the UK national grid, reducing the emissions factor applied to our use of electricity
For a more detailed analysis and an understanding of our Group carbon performance, please see FirstGroup’s Environmental Performance Report 2023.
We also produced our first ever Carbon Reduction Plan for First Rail in 2023. This sets out our carbon footprint in our Rail division and the projects we have underway to reduce it.