Britain's Real Green & Pleasant Land

Have you ever wondered how green your city really is? Britain's Real 'Green & Pleasant' Land calculates how environmentally-friendly 10 of the UK’s major cities truly are, taking into account factors such as green space, recycling and carbon emissions produced.

Which city comes out on top? Find out now!

10

Birmingham

Birmingham Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 4,218.4 Tonnes
Recycling 22%
Green Space 24.6 hectares
Gas Consumption 8,710 kw/h
Green Party Seats 1

Fun Fact

In 2020, as part of the city's Clean Air Zone plans, Birmingham is introducing a 'clean air charge', bringing in fees for older vehicles which release high levels of toxic emissions.

9

Greater London

Greater London Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 29,709 Tonnes
Recycling 34.1%
Green Space 23 hectares
Gas Consumption 61,546 kw/h
Green Party Seats 12

Fun Fact

Air quality in London has improved in recent years; London is now compliant for eight out of nine regulated pollutants and ranked 15th out of 36 of the world’s biggest cities.

8

Leeds

Leeds Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 3,964.7 Tonnes
Recycling 39%
Green Space 21.7 hectares
Gas Consumption 6,671 kw/h
Green Party Seats 3

Fun Fact

The Big Leeds Climate Conversation will help develop a citywide plan to work towards becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2030, following the council’s climate emergency declaration in 2019.

7

Glasgow

Glasgow Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 2,619.1 Tonnes
Recycling 27%
Green Space 32 hectares
Gas Consumption 5,145 kw/h
Green Party Seats 7

Fun Fact

Scotland's first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) came into effect in Glasgow city centre on 31st December 2018. On 31st December 2022, when the LEZ is fully implemented, all vehicles entering the zone will have to meet specified exhaust emission standards.

6

Liverpool

Liverpool Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 1,781.8 Tonnes
Recycling 24%
Green Space 16.4 hectares
Gas Consumption 3,995 kw/h
Green Party Seats 4

Fun Fact

In 2019, Liverpool City Region held a 'Year of Environment', where people from all backgrounds had the opportunity to be involved in projects that improved the natural world.

5

Bradford

Bradford Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 2,088.8 Tonnes
Recycling 40%
Green Space 18.4 hectares
Gas Consumption 4,894 kw/h
Green Party Seats 2

Fun Fact

Bradford City Council has pledged to plant a tree for every household which switches to pay its council tax via direct debit before March 2020.

4

Sheffield

Sheffield Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 2,225.5 Tonnes
Recycling 31%
Green Space 22.1 hectares
Gas Consumption 4,892 kw/h
Green Party Seats 8

Fun Fact

In 2019, The University of Sheffield announced that it will educate the ‘change-makers of the future’ by embedding teaching about sustainability across all of its courses in response to the climate emergency.

3

Manchester

Manchester Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 2,087.9 Tonnes
Recycling 40.1%
Green Space 20.4 hectares
Gas Consumption 3,730 kw/h
Green Party Seats 0

Fun Fact

Manchester has set the aim of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038 or before, at least 12 years earlier than the national 2050 target

2

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 2,305.7 Tonnes
Recycling 41%
Green Space 49.2 hectares
Gas Consumption 4,653 kw/h
Green Party Seats 8

Fun Fact

In 2019, Edinburgh was the first UK city to be accepted into the global Cities CAN B initiative.

1

Bristol

Bristol Map
Environmental Variables
Carbon emissions 1,587.9 Tonnes
Recycling 47.4%
Green Space 29 hectares
Gas Consumption 2,863 kw/h
Green Party Seats 11

Fun Fact

In 2015, Bristol became the UK’s first-ever European Green Capital in recognition of what its citizens have already achieved in making our city a healthier, happier place to live in.