International agreement focused on creating a greener L.A.

California Construction News staff writer

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has signed a pioneering Letter of Intent with Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development,  a significant milestone promoting “climate cooperation.”

The Letter of Intent includes four key areas for collaboration:

• Smart and Green Ports;
• Smart and Sustainable Mobility and Transit;
• Decarbonizing the Built Environment; and
• Renewable Energy and Grid Resiliency.

“The signing of this Letter of Intent with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland signifies bold steps to advance Los Angeles’ green transition and carbon neutrality goals, and with the current climate crisis, we know we need to take bold action” said Mayor Karen Bass. “The City of Los Angeles is grateful for our partnership with Finland as we continue to explore innovative ways to confront the climate crisis and strengthen business, investment, and green jobs in our region. To achieve our shared climate goals, we need to lock arms internationally to accelerate our progress.”

The signing ceremony included U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, who joined Bass at the Port of Los Angeles to unveil federal investments targeting zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure, air quality enhancement projects, and plans to safeguard the well-being of communities situated near U.S. ports.

“The climate crisis demands collaborative action on a global scale, and today, we reaffirm our commitment to building a greener Los Angeles through strategic partnerships both domestically and internationally,” Bass said.

In a statement following the signing, Minister Tavio expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, emphasizing its potential to foster mutually beneficial cooperation between Finland and the City of Los Angeles.

Expected federal investments will bolster Los Angeles’s efforts to transition to a greener, more environmentally conscious future.