New analysis from BNP Paribas Real Estate’s Next X data tool, released today on Earth Day, has revealed the top ten greenest cities in the UK, as sustainability increasingly shapes investment and occupier decisions.
According to the Next X Green Cities Index, Cambridge leads the way as the UK’s most sustainable city, followed by Exeter and Bristol. The full top ten ranking is:
| Next X Ranking | UK City |
| 1. | Cambridge |
| 2. | Exeter |
| 3. | Bristol |
| 4. | Oxford |
| 5. | Milton Keynes |
| 6. | York |
| 7. | Reading |
| 8. | Swindon |
| 9. | Gloucester |
| 10. | Telford |
Cambridge stands out due to its strong environmental policies, efficient infrastructure, and high levels of access to open space. Other cities in the ranking demonstrate strong performances in areas such as sustainable transport networks, emissions reductions, and eco-conscious urban planning.
Next X’s Green City Index evaluates locations based on five fundamental themes, including sustainable lifestyle behaviours, local infrastructure, real estate environmental credentials, access to open space and pollution/emissions.
Josh Arnold, Next X Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate commented: “Cambridge tops the ranking for the second consecutive year, reflecting its strong performance across all five sustainability themes. The city’s commitment to green space preservation, sustainable transport, and long-term carbon reduction strategies continues to set a high benchmark for other locations.
“A noticeable divide exists between north and south, with eight of the top ten markets situated in the south. York is the only northern city in the ranking. However, local plans up and down the country are being re-drafted to incorporate encouraging policy targets and initiatives which should help towards evening the playing field.
“We are also seeing significant momentum from new towns, including Milton Keynes and Peterborough, which have benefitted from newer infrastructure, supporting metrics like average EPC ratings and renewable energy installations, as well as being designed with open space as a focal point.
“As sustainability commitments accelerate, tools like Next X provide vital insights to help real estate professionals navigate these evolving dynamics, ensuring data-driven decision-making that aligns with long-term ESG goals.”
Donna Rourke, Head of ESG and Sustainability at BNP Paribas Real Estate commented: “Local authority initiatives can spur significant change to cities in the drive for delivering more sustainable places to live and work.
“Cambridge and Bristol are great examples of the environmental success that can be achieved through localised action, whether it be focusing on greener transport initiatives, or through the delivery of more energy efficient property.”
The Green Cities Index is powered by Next X, BNP Paribas Real Estate’s advanced location analysis tool.
Designed specifically for real estate professionals, Next X delivers deep local insights, drawing from over 41,000 data points across 110+ metrics.
By providing a granular view of real estate potential, Next X empowers investors, developers, and occupiers to make smarter, data-driven decisions.
The latest findings coincide with the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, which this year calls for the tripling of global renewable energy generation by 2030. BNP Paribas Real Estate supports this ambition, recognising the built environment’s critical role in shaping a low-carbon future.
Explore the full findings of the Next X Green Cities Index here, and to see how the platform can support your real estate strategy, visit https://bnpp.lk/bnppre-nextx.
