- Industrial relations challenges in the rail sector
- Inflationary pressures
- Economic conditions
- Continued industrial relations activity
- Heightened operational, policy and environmental pressures
- Potential expiry of the GWR NRC at the end of its core period
- Volume and revenue reductions in Hull Trains and Lumo
- Potential impacts of significant climate-related event or unbudgeted decarbonisation costs
- Risk of one-off safety, regulatory non-compliance or technology incidents
- Challenging employment market for drivers and engineering technicians
FirstGroup plc
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2024 reporting, FirstGroup plc disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 695.2K tCO2e/year. By scope: Scope 1: 478.7K tCO2e/year; Scope 2: 216.5K tCO2e/year. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
695.2K tCO2e/year
2024
Renewable Energy
6.3%
of total energy
📊 Emissions by Scope (2024)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 478.7K tCO2e/year |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 216.5K tCO2e/year |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 695.2K tCO2e/year |
| 2023 | 792.4K tCO2e/year (location-based); 587926 tCO2e/year (market-based) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- c.300 electric buses delivered in FY 2024 and more than 300 charger outlets installed
- 13% of the First Bus fleet are zero emissions vehicles
- Three fully electrified depots in England, with six further depots across the UK partially electrified
- Hull Trains has reduced CO2 emissions by 65% following the introduction of a new bi-mode fleet in 2019
- A journey on Lumo’s 100% electric fleet emits 21 times less carbon than a journey by petrol car
- £100m strategic decarbonisation joint venture with Hitachi and £150m Green Hire Purchase Financing Facility to support First Bus electrification
- Over £100m invested in First Bus decarbonisation
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Achieve an operating margin of 10% in First Bus in H2 2025
- Continue the implementation of the Prospective software across First Bus operations to drive further operational efficiencies
- Grow the First Bus market share in Adjacent Services and participate in attractive franchising and partnership opportunities
- Evaluate pipeline of value-accretive growth opportunities in line with Group’s disciplined capital allocation policy
- Focus on delivery on our First Rail National Rail Contracts
📅 Medium-term
- Progress the electrification of the First Bus fleet and infrastructure and unlock adjacent earnings streams, including third party charging at our depots
- Continue the GWR fast-charge battery-only train trial in First Rail
- Publish the first Group-wide climate transition plan in line with the Transition Plan Taskforce Disclosure Framework
- Maintain strong relationships with our communities and charitable partners
- Develop new and diverse talent through our apprenticeship, recruitment and retention schemes
🔭 Long-term
- First Bus target to operate a zero emission fleet by 2035
- Support the UK Government’s target to remove all diesel-only trains from service by 2040 and deliver a net-zero railway network by 2050
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Climate changeDecarbonisationModal shiftDiversity & InclusionCommunity InvestmentSafety