As the climate and biodiversity crises become increasingly pressing, governments and councils are continuing to set climate and sustainability-focused goals in a bid to combat this global problem.
Over the years, the UK has started to see the brutal realities of climate change in the form of extreme weather. Data indicates that winter windstorms could increase in frequency and severity due to climate change. This is predicted to exacerbate the increasing risk of coastal flooding from storm surges due to rising sea levels, meaning the impact of these events is likely to worsen.
At the same time, the biodiversity crisis is becoming more evident, with habitat loss, pollution, and climate change contributing to declining species across the UK. The biodiversity crisis is deeply intertwined with the climate crisis, as the loss of biodiversity can make ecosystems less resilient to climate change.
According to the Met Office, as of the end of the 2023/24 storm season, the UK experienced 12 named storms, the highest number since storm naming began, the most recent storm being named “Herminia” following “Eowyn”.
Unfortunately, much of the UK has recently experienced severe flooding due to these unprecedented storms, damaging communities, properties and businesses. These floods hit some parts of the UK worse than others, causing costly repairs. However, some areas will have been more prepared than others, therefore mitigating extreme damages.
Cities can mitigate damage from the extreme while simultaneously supporting environmental efforts by investing in Green infrastructure, which is a network of natural and semi-natural areas that provide benefits for nature and communities. It includes parks, gardens, woodlands, rivers, and other green spaces. Green infrastructure can also include street trees, green roofs, and sustainable drainage systems.
Green infrastructure is a key strategy in addressing both the climate and biodiversity crises. Through creating and enhancing natural spaces, Green Infrastructure helps protect and restore habitats, supports species resilience, and mitigates the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and urban heat islands.
Top 10 greenest UK cities
There are many cities across the UK which already have good green infrastructure in place, but which city leads the way? To figure this out, we took the UK’s largest cities and determined how good they are at green infrastructure by measuring against various factors, including amount of green space, tree canopy cover, level of air pollution, number of EV charging stations, and the number of people who cycle at least 5 times a week. With this in mind, the top ten cities with the greenest infrastructure include:
- Manchester
- London & Southampton
- Bristol
- Glasgow
- Sheffield & Dundee
- Stone on Trent
- Nottingham
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Cardiff
This ranking and the ranking factors give us a good indication as to which cities are doing the most to help the environment.
Manchester ranks number one, with 20.42% green space and 17.50% of tree canopy cover, 418 EV charging stations across the city, 2.9% of people cycle 5 days a week for any purpose, and air quality, like many of the cities in the UK, stands at 2.
The Northern city has 157 playgrounds and open spaces, which account for much of this green space, it also has 16 lakes. Other waterways in the area include the Ashton Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Maddlesfield Canal, Manchester Ship Canal, Peak Forest Canal and the Rochdale Canal.
London and Southampton rank joint second. The UK’s capital has 18.29% green space and 19.20% tree canopy cover. Southampton on the other hand has 18.10% green space, however, a tree canopy cover of 22%
Bristol also makes the top five, and is frequently named as one of the greenest and most sustainable cities. The city has a long-term low carbon strategy, including the Bristol Climate Protection, Sustainable Energy Strategy and the Local Transport Plan 2026.
The remaining cities with the best green infrastructure ranking include Glasgow, Sheffield, Dundee, Stoke on Trent, Nottingham, Leeds, Bradford, and Cardiff.
While it’s clear that many of the UK’s cities are doing their best to create sustainable and protected environments, there’s still collectively more to be done for the UK to reach its climate targets.
What are the UK’s climate goals?
The UK’s climate goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050 and cutting emissions by 81% by 2035. These goals are part of the UK’s commitment under the Paris Agreement.
The UK is aiming to achieve these goals through various tactics, including:
- Reducing emissions
- Using low carbon energy
- Capturing and storing carbon
- Planting more trees and restoring peatlands
Although the UK has made significant progress in reducing emissions, it’s not currently on track to meet its climate goals.
What are the UK’s biodiversity goals?
The UK has set ambitious biodiversity goals outlined in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). These include protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 (“30 by 30”), halting species decline, and reducing species extinction risk by 2042.
Green infrastructure plays a crucial role in helping to meet these biodiversity goals by creating and enhancing habitats for wildlife, restoring ecosystems, and improving the overall health of natural environments.
What is green infrastructure?
As mentioned, green infrastructure is a network of natural spaces like parks, woodlands, waterways, gardens, and even features like green roofs which provide environmental benefits like flood management, air quality, biodiversity enhancement, and the quality of life for surrounding communities.
The key features of green infrastructure are that it’s a network of integrated spaces and features that benefit both the environment and communities.
Green infrastructure provides many benefits to the environment and people, including:
- Reducing water runoff during flooding and heavy rainfall
- Provides sustainable drainage
- Supports carbon storage
- Provides habitat for wildlife
- Cools urban areas during heat waves
- Supports people’s mental and physical health
- Encourages active travel
The more authorities and businesses prioritise green infrastructure and commit to its maintenance, then the more benefit this will provide.
Why is green infrastructure important?
Green infrastructure is important for several reasons, including:
- Flood mitigation and management: Reduces flood risk by slowing down rainwater runoff and provides natural storage areas
- Climate change mitigation: Helps regulate urban temperatures by providing shade and evapotranspiration, reducing the need for air conditioning and absorbing carbon dioxide
- Improves air quality: Filters pollutants from the air through vegetation
- Biodiversity net gain: Creates habitats for wildlife and supports biodiversity by connecting green spaces
- Public health benefits: Promotes physical activity, reduces stress, and improves mental wellbeing through access to green space and encouragement for physical activities
- Aesthetic appeals: improves the visual quality of urban environment and can also increase property value
Ultimately, green infrastructure plays a vital role in improving quality of life and the environment around us, as well as providing natural defences against extreme weather, which is a direct result of climate change and something the UK is experiencing more frequently.
What are the most common challenges and misconceptions of green infrastructure?
When it comes to green infrastructure in relation to flood mitigation in particular, there are some challenges and misconceptions among authorities and developers. This includes:
Upfront Costs and Financial Constraints
Local councils and developers often face budgetary challenges when integrating green infrastructure, as it is perceived to be more expensive in the short term compared to traditional grey infrastructure. However, green infrastructure typically results in long-term cost savings by reducing flooding, enhancing water quality, and providing additional environmental benefits.
Maintenance Concerns
A major misconception is that green infrastructure requires too much maintenance. While trees and other green systems need care, they often require less long-term management than traditional stormwater infrastructure, which may require repairs and replacements over time. There’s also the belief that green infrastructure is not as reliable or durable as concrete solutions, which can result in reluctance from developers and councils.
Lack of Awareness or Expertise
Green infrastructure, including urban forestry, is still a relatively new field for many councils and developers. There can be a knowledge gap in terms of how to design and manage these systems effectively. As a result, projects may be mismanaged or underutilised, particularly in areas without dedicated arboricultural or ecological expertise.
Space Limitations
In high-density urban areas, there is often competition for space, and green infrastructure may be viewed as a lower priority compared to housing or transportation infrastructure. Finding space for tree planting or flood-resilient landscapes can be challenging, especially in areas that have already been developed.
Regulatory and Policy Barriers
Existing building codes and urban planning regulations may not always accommodate green infrastructure solutions. Developers might encounter difficulties in meeting stormwater management requirements through green infrastructure, or may be unaware of incentives and policies that encourage its implementation.
Speaking with an environmental consultancy can help alleviate any concerns or misconceptions about green infrastructure.
Green Infrastructure examples
Now that we’ve established the concept of green infrastructure, let’s take a closer look at some real-world examples of how these systems are being applied.
London’s Green Infrastructure Delivery
London has integrated green infrastructure into its flood management strategy through the use of green roofs, rain gardens, and permeable pavements. For example, the ‘Green Roofs for London’ initiative encourages rooftop planting to reduce runoff and manage rainfall. Green roofs can absorb up to 80% of rainfall, significantly reducing the volume of water that needs to be managed by drainage systems. This initiative has proven effective in reducing flood risks during intense storms.
The Flood Alleviation Scheme in Exeter
The city of Exeter has incorporated green infrastructure as part of its flood management approach, with projects like the creation of floodplain meadows, wetlands, and vegetated swales. These systems slow the flow of surface water and improve water absorption, reducing the risk of flooding in urban areas. The project has been effective in alleviating the risk of surface water flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall events.
Learn more about how we worked with our client, Team Van Oord, as part of their Water and Environment Management (WEM) framework, to facilitate Phase 1 of the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme.
The ‘Manchester Rain Gardens’ Initiative
Manchester has implemented rain gardens in several areas to help reduce surface water flooding. These gardens collect and manage rainfall runoff from streets and pavements, reducing the load on the city’s drainage systems. By incorporating trees, shrubs, and grasses, these rain gardens enhance stormwater infiltration and help mitigate flooding while also providing ecological benefits.
Working with an environmental consultancy
As the climate crisis intensifies, cities across the UK are increasingly looking for sustainable solutions to protect communities from extreme weather events. By working with an environmental consultancy, local authorities and developers can gain access to expert knowledge, strategic planning, and practical guidance on how to integrate green infrastructure into their urban landscapes.
Consultants can help navigate the complexities of climate goals, assess environmental risks, and tailor green infrastructure solutions that not only reduce flood risks and enhance air quality but also support long-term sustainability. As we’ve seen, the benefits of green infrastructure go far beyond stormwater management. They improve public health, boost biodiversity, and make cities more resilient to climate change. By utilising experts at Thomson Environmental Consultants, the UK can take significant steps towards achieving its climate targets and creating more livable, sustainable urban environments for generations to come.
To learn more about green infrastructure, get in touch with our friendly team.
Ranking methodology: To determine the UK’s greenest cities, Thomson Environmental Consultants analysed five key environmental factors: the percentage of green space, tree canopy cover, air quality, availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and the frequency of cycling for transport. Data for green space was sourced from the Ordnance Survey’s National Get Outside Day 2023 report (source), while tree canopy cover was measured using Forestry England’s map (source). Air quality data was taken from DEFRA’s live air quality monitoring system (source), and EV charging station data was derived from the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Charging Device Statistics (April 2023) (source). Lastly, cycling frequency data was obtained from the UK Government’s Walking and Cycling Statistics (source).
These factors were combined to create a ranking of the largest UK cities based on their commitment to green infrastructure, with higher scores indicating stronger environmental sustainability.
