GRESB has named Rock Rail as the top-ranked ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Sector Leader in Rail Transport and the overall number one for ESG performance across all sectors. This achievement is attributed to the exceptional performance of Rock Rail East Anglia and Rock Rail Moorgate, both of which received perfect 100/100 scores and 5-star ratings for their rolling stock assets.
- Global Leadership: Rock Rail ranks first among 7 UK and 22 global rail companies for asset investment.
- ESG Excellence: Rock Rail East Anglia is number one and Rock Rail Moorgate is in the top three among 695 infrastructure asset entrants across all sectors.
- Consecutive Success: This marks the third consecutive year that Rock Rail’s investments have achieved a 5-star rating, but the first year to top the GRESB global rail rankings.
GRESB provides peer benchmarking of ESG management and performance for infrastructure funds and assets worldwide through systematic analysis of data. Its vision is of ‘an investment industry that plays a central role in creating a sustainable world.’ As with previous years, co-investor Abrdn oversaw the GRESB application process.
George Bearfield, Rock Rail’s Director of Health, Safety and Cyber Security, said: “This is a phenomenal result, that has only been achieved through the values that Rock Rail, and its partner investors and customers, put at the heart of their investment strategy and operations. Rock Rail has chosen to focus on decarbonisation of rail transport through the use of electric and bi-mode vehicles, and in doing this to seek to be at the forefront of practice on all Environment, Social and Governance topics, including the management of emerging risks like asset Cyber Security. This result shows how the impact of those efforts is now recognised as best in class globally.”
Mark Swindell, CEO of Rock Rail, added “This recognition solidifies Rock Rail’s position as a global leader in sustainable rail infrastructure, setting a new standard for the industry. We will continue to put ESG at the core of what we do and are already looking beyond the rail sector at Rock Group, such as accelerating the adoption of zero-emission buses.”
Rock Rail’s rolling stock assets: Rock Rail East Anglia owns, and leases Greater Anglia’s electric and bi-mode trains manufactured by Stadler. Rock Rail Moorgate provides Siemens 717 Desiro City electric trains to Govia Thameslink Railway.
