Exeter named one of UK’s most sustainable cities for business

Exeter has been named one of the most sustainable cities in the UK to run a business, according to new research released by waste management firm BusinessWaste.co.uk.

The study, which analysed 76 cities across the UK, looked at key environmental and infrastructure factors to determine where businesses can thrive while reducing their environmental impact.

Exeter ranked sixth overall, with a sustainability score of 54.4 out of 100, placing it above larger cities including Oxford, Plymouth and Aberdeen.

The ranking considered a range of criteria, including the number of BREEAM-certified office buildings, access to renewable energy, recycling rates, EV charging infrastructure, and business survival rates.

According to the study, Exeter performed particularly well for:

• Electric vehicle charging points, with 192.7 devices per 100,000 people

• A relatively high business survival rate of 51.7%

• Good access to public transport, with nearly 40 stops per square mile

The city is also home to 11 BREEAM-certified office buildings, which are designed to meet high environmental standards.

The report highlighted that businesses integrating ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) principles tend to see stronger financial performance - further underlining the link between sustainability and long-term commercial success.

Top 10 most sustainable UK cities for businesses:

1. Cambridge

2. Bangor

3. Cardiff

4. Newport

5. Perth

6. Exeter

7. Oxford

8. Plymouth

9. Wrexham

10. Aberdeen

Cambridge topped the list with a score of 60.86, bolstered by its high number of BREEAM buildings and access to electric vehicle infrastructure.

In contrast, Southend-on-Sea was named the least sustainable city for businesses, with a score of just 23.69.

The report also noted a regional divide, with Welsh cities dominating the top 10, and southern cities generally outperforming their northern counterparts in England.