TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to direct Long Beach Airport (LGB) staff to develop a plan to lead the nation on sustainability for airports, to work with airlines serving LGB and other partners to become an incubator of clean tech in aviation, with goals of becoming a carbon neutral facility.
DISCUSSION
Climate change is a growing threat to our planet and is an especially large danger for coastal cities. As Long Beach looks for sources of greenhouse gas emissions that can be reduced or eliminated, municipal operations are opportunities to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Finding ways to be a more sustainable city is key to achieving goals that the state has set by law for cities to meet. Long Beach must take steps to battle the growth of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. One step is to employ sustainable technology and standards that can lower energy costs while leading to less pollution.
The Port of Long Beach, which has recently adopted its second Clean Air Action Plan, continues to see economic growth and surging capacity while reducing air pollution. The success at our Port is a model that can be replicated at LGB, bringing technological innovation and investment along the way.
Located near the center of the city, most neighborhoods in Long Beach are relatively close to LGB, and significant and measurable steps should be taken to mitigate its environmental impact. In adopting sustainable and carbon-neutral practices, LGB can set an international standard for airports to be good neighbors to their communities. Much like the Port of Long Beach's adoption of the Green Port standard years ago, LGB can be a leader in sustainability for airports.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
The creation of the plan will require existing staff time and consultant support that is currently budgeted. Any costs of implementation will be identified as part of a report on the plan.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA
COUNCILWOMAN STACY MUNGO,
FIFTH DISTRICT