Stockholm tops climate ranking as Spain misses out

Stockholm has been named Europe’s most climate-resilient capital city, outperforming every other national capital in a major new study assessing how well urban areas are prepared for the impacts of climate change. The Swedish capital topped the rankings ahead of cities in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, while capitals in Spain, France and Portugal failed to make the top 10.

The ranking comes from the COOLCITY Index, a project that analysed more than 11,000 urban areas across Europe using satellite imagery, aerial laser scanning and artificial intelligence. Researchers assessed factors including green space, flood resistance, urban heat management and land permeability – a measure of how effectively rainwater can be absorbed into the ground.

Why Stockholm came out on top

Stockholm achieved the highest overall score of 6.7 out of 10, thanks largely to its extensive green infrastructure and strong land permeability. Researchers found the city is particularly well-equipped to handle heavy rainfall and reduce flood risks, making it better prepared for the increasingly extreme weather events linked to climate change.

Northern and eastern European capitals dominated the ranking, reflecting long-term investment in sustainable urban planning, green spaces and climate adaptation measures.

Europe’s 10 most climate-resilient capitals

According to the COOLCITY Index, the top 10 capitals are:

Stockholm, Sweden – 6.7
Vilnius, Lithuania – 6.4
Riga, Latvia – 6.3
Tallinn, Estonia – 5.9
Helsinki, Finland – 5.8
Zagreb, Croatia – 5.8
Bratislava, Slovakia – 5.7
Warsaw, Poland – 5.7
Berlin, Germany – 5.6
Prague, Czech Republic – 5.5
Southern Europe misses out

Notably absent from the top 10 were capitals in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy. As southern Europe continues to face increasing pressure from heatwaves, droughts and water shortages, the findings highlight the growing importance of adapting cities to a changing climate.

While no city is immune from climate risks, Stockholm’s first-place finish demonstrates how urban design, green spaces and forward-thinking planning can improve resilience. As climate challenges intensify across Europe, other capitals may increasingly look to the Swedish model for inspiration.