Glasgow has received global recognition as a sustainable city. The Global Green City award, which is supported by the United Nation's Environment Programme, puts Glasgow in the same bracket as previous winners such as Vancouver, Vienna, Yokohama and many other cities in Europe, Asia and the Americas. This year's award was shared Changsha in the Hunan Province of China.

Glasgow was recognised after recording high scores across wide ranging criteria including planning, transport, low carbon and energy efficiency, transportation, buildings, open spaces and the economy.

The Global Forum on Hunan Settlements (GFSH) brings together state ambassadors, UN officials, academics, city leaders, business representatives and NGOS with a focus on how to deliver the UN's Sustainable Development goals. The Global Green City Award seeks to highlight 'prominent progress and valuable experience' in search of greener and more sustainable cities.