Industries with Best ESG Scores in the UK in 2026

1. Grocery Markets in the UK

2026 ESG Score Average: 3.4

The Grocery Markets industry retails a variety of food and drink products via stalls and markets. This includes the retailing of fruit, vegetables, fish mongering and meat retailers. However, the Grocery Markets industry excludes the sale of food for immediate consumption. The major markets for the industry are consumers and the food service industry. Inputs are generally purchased directly from farmers or wholesalers, or firms are vertically integrated with farms.

Over the five years through 2019-20, the industry is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.3%. Industry demand is expected to have been supported over the period by... Learn More

2. Luxury Product Retailers in the UK

2026 ESG Score Average: 3.6

Over the past decade, the UK luxury goods sector has outpaced the UK economy, with a marked outperformance through the recession. It continues to grow despite the global economic uncertainty. The luxury goods market has been fairly insulated from changing sentiment due to the lipstick effect. Luxury retail operators have also been shielded from the e-commerce phenomenon as consumers continue to place a greater emphasis on customer service over price. Rising tourism numbers and expenditure, spurred by the low value of the pound, has also been key to industry growth. Over the five years through 2019-20, IBISWorld expects industry revenue... Learn More

3. Television Programme Production in the UK

2026 ESG Score Average: 4.3

In the past decade, there have been several major changes across the global and UK television markets. One of the main changes has been a large increase in the number of reality-based television programmes, such as Big Brother and The X Factor. An extension of these types of programmes has been their continued globalisation, with these shows easily able to be modified to local markets and formats.

There has also been considerable merger activity across the industry, with several large European companies having acquired UK television programme production companies in recent years. This has also increased the globalisation level within the... Learn More

4. Condiments & Seasoning Manufacturing in the UK

2026 ESG Score Average: 4.5

The Condiments & Seasoning Manufacturing industry has been affected by a challenging five-year period. Two strong revenue declines at the start of the period have been followed by three years of growth, although this has not been strong enough to completely recover the losses. Over the five years through 2011-12, industry revenue is expected to decline by 5.8% per annum to £1.18 billion. The global economic collapse and subsequent slow recovery have taken a toll, although these events also provided a boost by increasing the number of meals prepared and eaten at home.

The number of products offered by the industry... Learn More

5. Basic Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing in the UK

2026 ESG Score Average: 4.7

The UK pharmaceutical sector commands an important position within the local economy. A knowledge-based, skill- and technology-intensive sector employing some 72,000 people, it is estimated to account for 0.6% of GDP. The United Kingdom is also thought to be one of the world's largest exporters of pharmaceuticals by value.One small, albeit important, component of the sector is the Basic Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing industry, which is involved in the manufacture of medicinal active substances which are used for their pharmacological properties in the manufacture of medicaments. The industry also includes companies involved in the processing of blood and glands as well... Learn More

6. Pharmaceutical Preparations Manufacturing in the UK

2026 ESG Score Average: 5.2

The pharmaceutical sector is thought to command an important position within the local economy. A knowledge based, skill and technology intensive industry employing some 67,000 people, the sector is thought to account for 0.6% of GDP. It is a key exporting sector and is consistently within the top three UK industrial sectors in terms of trade surpluses, generating a surplus of roughly £6.7 billion in 2009. The United Kingdom is also thought to be one of the world's largest exporters of pharmaceuticals by value.

It also plays a key role within the global pharmaceutical division, particularly in terms of its R&D... Learn More