Comprehensive planning for a low carbon transition and future-proofing has meant that Newcastle has kept its crown as the UK’s most sustainable city for the second year running.

Think tank Forum for the Future has just released its Sustainable Cities Index 2010, which details the top 20 largest urban centres, measuring their sustainability against three criteria.

The think tank measures the cities against the environmental performance in terms of resource use and pollution; quality of life and what the city is like to live in for its citizens and future-proofing, which examines how well the city is preparing itself for a sustainable future.

Environmental performance indicators include the city’s air quality, biodiversity, household waste and ecological footprint. Employment, transport, education, health and green space are factors when assessing quality of life, and future-proofing indicators include climate change, local food, economy and recycling.

According to the Index, Newcastle is planning well for the transition to low carbon with its Citywide Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan 2010-2020, which sets out clear goals and how it will achieve them. Part of driving this strategy forward is the Newcastle Climate Change Partnership, which brings together businesses, the public sector, universities and NGOs.

The city beat Leicester, Brighton, Bristol and London, making an 8-place leap since 2007. The bottom five cities are Sunderland, Derby, Bradford, Glasgow and Hull.

Forum for the Future chief executive Peter Madden said it was vital for cities to invest wisely for long-term success.

He added: "Leaders like Newcastle and Leicester are developing plans to run services in smarter ways, tackling challenges like climate change and securing the jobs of the future."

Newcastle Council

Forum for the Future