FirstGroup plc, a leading private sector provider of public transport, has been included in the latest FTSE4Good Index, ranking as the top performing bus and rail operator in the travel and tourism sector.

Launched in 2001, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. These indices are subsequently used by a wide variety of asset managers, investors and other market participants when creating or assessing sustainable investment products.

FirstGroup, who have been included in the FTSE4Good Index for the last 19 years, ranked as the top performing European company in the travel and tourism sector, achieving a score of 4.1/5, improving on last year's score of 3.7/5.

The score improvement was mainly driven by the Group's improving approaches to climate risk and diversity and inclusion. This includes voluntarily aligning with Task Force on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting, which helps to set out the possible impact of climate change risks and opportunities on the business in the future. There has also been an expansion of the Group's 'Step Up' and 'Reach Up' programmes that support the career progression of women and employees from minority ethnic backgrounds in the business.

FirstGroup has a fleet of almost 9,000 buses and rail vehicles across the UK, carrying more than 1.4m passengers per day. The Group's transport services contribute to society's environmental objectives including climate change mitigation and air quality improvements by driving modal shift from cars to buses and trains.

FirstGroup is the UK's largest rail operator and has already introduced, or is in the process of introducing, new electric and bi-mode trains across all six of its rail companies in the UK, while the Group's GWR and TPE rail companies are also trialling battery-charging technology. The bus business has committed to cease purchasing diesel buses after 2022 and achieving a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. Recent initiatives include the introduction of the UK's only 100% solar powered park and ride in Leeds and the opening of the UK's largest electric vehicle charging hub in Glasgow.

FirstGroup remains committed to improving the gender and ethnic diversity of its workforce. The Group's development programme for women, 'Step Up', supports women in frontline roles to transition into their first supervisory role. As signatories to 'Change the Ratio' the Group has also taken action to improve the ethnic diversity of its Board and also voluntarily published its first Ethnicity Pay Gap Report in December 2021.

Graham Sutherland, CEO of FirstGroup, said: 'We are delighted to be the top performing rail and bus operator in the FTSE4Good Index. We have been included in the index for the past 19 years, and we are pleased to have improved our score from last year. Our services play a critical role in creating a connected, healthy, zero carbon world, contributing to local prosperity and growth, reducing congestion on the roads, improving air quality and helping to reduce carbon emissions.'

Contact:

Tel: +44 (0)20 7725 3354

Email: corporate.comms@firstgroup.co.uk

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