FirstGroup plc, a leading provider of transport services in the UK and North America, has been recognised with a place in the 2021 Clean200 report, produced by sustainable business media group Corporate Knights in partnership with U.S. not-for-profit organisation, As You Sow.

FirstGroup is the only passenger transport operator based in Europe to be listed in this year’s report.

Ranked at 138 in the listing, FirstGroup is also the only bus operator to be included and one of only four UK-based firms to make the rankings, alongside Unilever (10), BT Group (45), Food-packaging firm Amcor (151)

FirstGroup, which also has UK rail operations is one of only three transport operators in the ranking – alongside Hong Kong-based metro operator MTR Corp (165) and rail operator Canadian National (35).

The annual Clean200 report ranks the world’s largest publicly listed companies by their total clean energy revenues from products and services that provide solutions for the planet and define a clean energy future.

Companies included on the list are involved in the provision of infrastructure and services needed to transition to a clean and green economy.

FirstGroup’s commitment to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon world has also led to inclusion in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2021.

S&P considered more than 7,000 companies, a record number, in its annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and the yearbook lists 631 leading companies for sustainability based on their scores from that assessment. FirstGroup’s sustainability performance ensured it was the only UK-listed transport provider entered into the Yearbook and within the top 15% of the transport industry as a whole.

Commenting, FirstGroup Chief Executive Matthew Gregory said: “FirstGroup is committed to accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon world to help address the challenges of climate change.

“As a leading provider of transport services we have a key role to play in creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future and we’re pleased that our activities and plans are recognised through our inclusion in this year’s Clean200 list and S&P Sustainability Yearbook.”

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.

FirstGroup is committed to accelerating the change in the transport sector through leadership in three priority areas: innovating for our customers, being the partner of choice for low- and zero-emission transport, and supporting our people.

Amongst other actions, FirstGroup has committed to transitioning to a zero carbon bus fleet in the UK by 2035 and to buy no new diesel buses from 2022.