Edinburgh Named Greenest City in UK: Top 20 Ranking Announced
Edinburgh has been named the UK’s most eco-friendly city in a recent ranking conducted by clean energy solutions experts, egg. The Scottish capital city was closely followed by Brighton and Bristol in second and third place, respectively. The ranking, which considered factors such as air quality, green spaces, solar power adoption, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points, also revealed the least sustainable cities in the UK, with Nottingham, Newcastle, and Belfast taking the bottom spots.
The study reflects the growing importance of environmental sustainability among UK residents, with more and more individuals considering the impact of their living location on the environment. The ranking also compared the average house prices in each city, showcasing the potential trade-off between living in a more sustainable city and affordability.
The top 20 most sustainable cities in the UK, according to the egg ranking, are as follows:
1. Edinburgh
2. Brighton
3. Bristol
4. Sheffield
5. Cambridge
6. Oxford
7. Reading
8. Swansea
9. Norwich
10. Coventry
11. Cardiff
12. Plymouth
13. London
14. Birmingham
15. Manchester
16. Leeds
17. Glasgow
18. Newcastle
19. Nottingham
20. Belfast
Edinburgh secured the top spot thanks to its overall air quality and abundance of green spaces. Additionally, the city saw a minimal increase of only 1% in house prices in the last year, compared to the UK average of 1.9%, making it an attractive option for those looking to live in a more environmentally-conscious city.
Brighton, a popular seaside destination, ranked second in the study due to its low levels of pollution and high number of EV charging points. However, the city’s commitment to sustainability comes at a cost, with the average house price being nearly 63% higher than the UK average.
Gavin Morse, energy expert at egg, commented on the findings, stating, “The ranking identifies that sustainability has become a significant factor in property decisions. The egg ‘UK’s Most Sustainable City’ ranking highlights the cities best positioned to support the UK’s green ambitions while balancing affordability and sustainability. With the government’s ongoing push towards net-zero targets, cities that invest in clean energy, sustainable transport, and carbon-neutral developments are not only benefiting the environment but also attracting more interest from future-focused homeowners.”
Surprisingly, Sheffield ranked fourth in the study, showcasing its commitment to sustainability despite its history as a coal and steel production city. Sheffield boasts a high number of EV charging stations and solar panels, while also offering relatively low house prices.
Among the cities ranked, Cambridge and Plymouth were found to be the biggest adopters of solar power, with residents generating a combined total of over 50 megawatts of solar power, enough to power seven football stadiums.
The study also revealed the sources of data used for the ranking, including the UK Air Quality Index for air quality data, Ordnance Survey (OS) for green spaces data, Zap-Map and Charge Map for EV charging stations, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for solar power data, and Zoopla House Price Index for house price data.
The full study was distributed by leading UK news agency, Pressat, on Tuesday 11 March, 2025.