Los Angeles commits to carbon-free city buildings

The City of Los Angeles committed to making all new or substantially rehabilitated buildings owned by the city to be carbon free.

Los Angeles is also the first local government to adopt the Buy Clean California Act, a state law requiring carbon emissions reductions from construction materials, including steel, flat glass and insulation beginning in 2021 for use on public buildings such as fire stations, civic centers, and libraries. To date, the city has 26 all-electric buildings in development totaling 2 million sf.

The Buy Clean California Act does not pertain to cement, the production of which is a major carbon emitter. Lowering the carbon footprint of that material may be addressed, however, after the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance publishes a framework for cities to support lower-emitting concrete production.

Mayor Eric Garcetti also committed the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to improve access for low-income, affordable housing, and multifamily properties to its clean energy programs.