Reading is the ‘greenest’ place in the UK, and the 19th greenest place in the world, according to a new report.
The UK has been recognised as having a net gain of urban green spaces, equivalent to 55 football fields, whilst urban greenery declines globally
Husqvarna, a robotic lawn care company, has revealed that Reading is the greenest place in the UK.
In a new scientific report from Husqvarna, it was discovered that Reading has the highest Green Index score of 72 – making it the 19th greenest place in the world.
The findings are part of the Husqvarna Urban Green Space Insights (HUGSI) Report 2025, quantifying urban green space in cities globally using AI and satellite data.
The report looked at the top 40 UK places individually and awarded them a Green Index score based on coverage percentage of high-quality vegetation within the populated parts of the city. The score then gives each place a relative position as greener or less green than others.
According to the global data, Wuppertal, Germany, emerged as the greenest location in the world. On the other end of the scale, Blackpool was named the least green town in the UK, with a Green Index score of 24. Blackpool’s score was largely determined by its minimal amount of tree cover, with only 8% of tree canopy cover across the town.
Erik Swan, Director Digital Business Exploration, Husqvarna comments: ”Our report champions the success stories of urban green spaces, but it also sets a challenge to ensure efforts do not fall in other parts of the world. For many, well maintained green spaces in cities are integral to wellbeing and fitness, and we all have a role to play in protecting these spaces for everyone.”
Alexander Summers, Curator of Living Collections at Kew Gardens and partner of Husqvarna comments: ” As a 320-acre botanic garden in London, we recognise the important role of green spaces in cities for people, nature and the wider environment. Our scientists and horticulturists are undertaking research into the most effective ways to conduct urban greening and enhance existing greenspace. This is particularly important as we face the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.’’
More details on the methodology and results can be found in the report here: https://hugsi.green/top-green-cities/uk
