Forum for the Future’s annual Sustainable Cities Index tracks progress on sustainability in Britain’s 20 largest cities - highlighting their environmental performance, quality of life and their readiness for the challenges of the future. The index is intended to highlight and reward cities’ achievements, encourage healthy competition, and give citizens the tools to hold their leaders to account. It attracts considerable media attention, raising awareness of what it means to be a sustainable city.

Newcastle is the leader for the second year running and Bristol and Brighton topped the table in 2008 and 2007. Leeds is rated 6th, Sheffield 10th, Bradford 18th and Hull 20th. The index has succeeded in showcasing what they have achieved to their citizens and to other cities.

The index measures 13 indicators in three broad baskets:

• Environmental impact – the city’s impact in terms of resource use and pollution;
• Quality of life – what the city is like for people to live in;
• Future-proofing – how well the city is preparing for a sustainable future.
   

The indicators are designed to give a snapshot of sustainability in each city and chosen to reflect areas in which local authorities have the power to enhance the sustainability of their city. The index has also gone international. Darwin topped the first Australian index, which was compiled by the Australian Conservation Foundation adapting Forum's methodology.

• Download Sustainable Cities Index 2010 (pdf)

For more information please visit - www.forumforthefuture.org/projects/sustainable-cities10