SAN PEDRO, Calif.--()--The Port of Los Angeles has been named a recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) inaugural Climate Leadership Award, which recognizes businesses and organizations that have shown outstanding leadership in response to climate change. The award was given by the EPA in conjunction with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry.
“I commend The Port of Los Angeles on its exemplary leadership in cutting carbon pollution that harms our climate and threatens our health,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. "The Port of Los Angeles and all of our Climate Leadership Award winners demonstrate that organizations who are taking action to mitigate climate change are also operating more efficiently, more innovatively, and more competitively.”
“We have worked closely with industry, regulatory agencies and ports worldwide to ensure that the shipping industry grows in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “This award is testament to the City of Los Angeles’ and the Port’s ongoing efforts to effectively balance economic growth and sustainable business practices.”
“The Port of Los Angeles has worked hard to establish itself as an international leader in port-related greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Katz, Ph.D. “We’re proud that many of our programs now serve as models for other ports around the world.”
The EPA recognized the Port in the category of Supply Chain Leadership, noting the Port’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, its comprehensive tracking and GHG inventories, as well as its leadership and management of these emissions in the organizational value chain. The EPA also recognized companies including IBM, Ford Motor Company, Gap Inc. and others with Climate Leadership Awards. Click here for more information about the Climate Leadership Awards and award winners.
The EPA commended the Port for its leadership in providing tools to help ports around the world measure and reduce their carbon footprints. To control GHGs at the supply chain level, in 2006 the Port adopted a green leasing policy that includes environmental requirements in tenant lease agreements, including air emission controls; water, stormwater, and sediment quality assessments; and energy audits on terminal buildings to identify energy savings. In addition, the Port’s Technology Advancement Program funds development and roll-out of emission reduction innovations and technologies for port mobile sources.
Internationally, through its activities with other ports and business members of the International Association of Ports and Harbors the Port of Los Angeles has been instrumental in development of the World Ports Climate Initiative, a global collaboration of approximately 60 ports aimed at reducing GHGs and improving air quality. Chaired by Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Knatz, the initiative has resulted in a number of unprecedented tools to assess global warming at port facilities, including the Carbon Footprinting Guide for Ports and Carbon Calculator.
The Port of Los Angeles has long been involved in GHG reduction efforts, and has been measuring its GHG emissions since 2006. As part of its Municipal Climate Action Plan adopted in December 2007, the Port set the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Many of the Port’s greenhouse gas reduction programs serve as models to other ports in the United States and around the world.
Last week, the Port hosted the Pacific Ports Clean Air Collaborative Conference, gathering 125 participants from around the world to focus on strategies for greening the supply chain, combating climate change and identifying business opportunities for environmental innovation.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port supports more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues.
The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.