Environmental organization Pacific Environment and C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors committed to tackling the climate crisis, came together on November 14 at the Carson Event Center for a Green Shipping Corridor Workshop. The event convened policymakers and staff from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, City of Los Angeles, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District for a night of insight, education, and community engagement. METRANS joined the Global Initiatives Showcase section of the event and presented Dr’s. Marlon Boarnet’s and Genevieve Giuliano’s (USC) research on California’s Advanced Clean Fleet Rules to local healthcare workers, educators, and community activists.   

The event began with a brief video message from Congresswoman Nanette Barragan who represents California’s 44^th Congressional District and Congressman Robert Garcia who represents California’s 42^nd Congressional District. Together, Barragan and Garcia represent some of the communities most affected by port and freight truck pollution including Signal Hill, Carson, Lakewood, Bellflower, Vernon, and Avalon. The representatives highlighted recent key initiatives such as the 2023 Clean Shipping Act which would “set a path to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from all ocean shipping companies that do business within the United States,” according to this June 2023 press release from the office of Congressman Garcia. Congresswoman Barragan and Congressman Garcia thanked Pacific Environment and C40 Cities for hosting the town hall event and reiterated their commitments to protecting the health of port communities, addressing environmental injustice, and investing in zero-emission research and technology.   

Following representative Barragan and Garcia’s insightful message, attendees were encouraged to participate in the Global Initiatives Showcase section of the event where METRANS, along with organizations such as the American Bureau of Shipping and the Rocky Mountain Institute, engaged in one-to-one conversations with community members regarding their work on shipping and truck freight decarbonization.  

The Green Shipping Corridors workshop panel included: 

• Daniella Simunovic, Senior Director of Climate and Sustainability, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
• Lisa Wunder, Marine Environmental Manager, Port of Los Angeles
• Heather Tomley, Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs, Port of Long Beach
• Sarah Rees, Deputy Executive Officer, South Coast Air Quality Management District

Attendees including community residents and Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach longshoremen engaged in a thoughtful conversation on topics ranging from marine life conversation amidst the changing port infrastructure to concerns over the rapid use of green ammonia.  

A full recording of the event can be found here. 

Pictured above Congressman Robert Garcia gives his opening remarks at the Green Shipping Community Workshop on November 14.