Western European cities, led by London, continue to dominate when it comes to green finance, but U.S. cities are starting to catch up, according to the Global Green Finance index published Thursday by London consultancy Z/Yen Group.

Compared with the first one published in March 2018, the ninth edition of the semiannual index found more correlation between U.S. cities’ standing as financial centers and their green credentials, said Mike Wardle, a director and head of indexes for Z/Yen, in an interview.

Globally, “there is a general indication that green finance is becoming mainstream,” Mr. Wardle said.

The index rates financial centers on two measures: an online questionnaire and 140 factors, including business environment, human capital, infrastructure and sustainability. The latest index looked at 126 financial centers and included 81.

London and Amsterdam kept the first and second positions in the latest index, with gains of more than 10 points each. New York for the first time moved into the top 10, at fifth place, but “is in good position to take over,” Mr. Wardle said, considering that it is already the top financial center.

San Francisco, Stockholm, Zurich, Luxembourg, Oslo, Geneva and Los Angeles also made the top 10. In the Asia-Pacific region, six cities ranked in the top 20, led by Sydney.

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