London has been ranked among the top ten greenest cities in the world in a new report by a climate solutions company.
Sustainability experts at Reinders Corporation analysed cities around the world to identify the places offering the greatest social, wellness and economic benefits for both people and the planet.
The city came in tenth place overall, earning an admirable Green City Index score of 66.85.
Overall rankings were based on six key indicators: access to green spaces, use of renewable energy, air quality, efficiency of public transport and bikeability.
While London is often associated with towering skyscrapers, the capital boasts an abundance of parks and green spaces, from Regent’s Park to Wimbledon Common.
According to the Green City Index, London ranks seventh in the world for access to green space, offering 61 m² of green space per person, ahead of Montreal (57 m²) and Copenhagen (45 m²).
It comes as no surprise that London would rank highly for its public transport, with its extensive and integrated network offering Londoners rapid travel on the Tube, DLR, overground and buses.
London ranked sixth for its public transportation efficiency, scoring 64.5 out of 100, matching Zurich and outperforming cities like Vancouver (58.1) and Toronto (57.1).
Cycling in London has also grown in popularity in the last year, with the number of daily trips increased to 1.5 million — a 12.7 per cent increase — with about 10 per cent made on dockless e-bikes.
After last September’s week-long Tube strikes forced thousands of commuters onto bikes, many Londoners have decided to stick with cycling rather than return to their old routines.
This is reflected in the new report, which saw London rank fifth for bikeability, scoring 49.7 out of 100, surpassing major North American cities such as San Francisco (41.9) and Toronto (41.6).
Commenting on the report, Gerrit Jan Reinders, CEO of Reinders Corporation, said: “With climate change and urban growth, understanding which cities excel in sustainability has never been more critical.
“This study highlights where residents and travellers alike can benefit from cleaner air, abundant green spaces, and efficient transport systems, demonstrating that eco-friendly living and vibrant, modern city life can thrive together.
“London proves that even one of the world’s largest and busiest cities can deliver efficient public transport and strong access to green spaces.
“Its results show how smart urban planning can support more sustainable, livable city life while highlighting where future environmental progress is needed.”
