Los Angeles County Sets 2050 Carbon Neutrality Target

Land use and transportation planning will play key roles in an effort by Los Angeles County to achieve carbon neutrality in 30 years.

1 minute read

August 12, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Los Angeles County Sprawl

clayton harrison / Shutterstock

"The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has adopted an ambitious climate and sustainability plan that sets the county to go carbon neutral by 2050," reports Jason Plautz.

The OurCounty plan is described on its website as the "boldest county sustainability plan in the nation." At the heart of the plan's approach, according to the website, is an intersectional approach to sustainability:

For example, an action to support local water [pdf] supplies can provide new or improved parks and open space [pdf], while also reducing energy [pdf] from pumping water into Los Angeles from hundreds of miles away. Reducing energy use also reduces air and climate pollution [pdf] as power plants are used less, which also contributes to improved public health [pdf].

As Plautz explains, the result of that approach is 150 strategies focused on health, food systems, transit-oriented development, and housing affordability. "The plan says county officials will use zoning policies to promote thriving places for current and future generations,'" adds Plautz.

Thursday, August 8, 2019 in Smart Cities Dive

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

The Chicago Avenue Bridge when it was open, a dark red bridge in front of downtown.

Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders

The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.

November 1 - Block Club Chicago

People walk to a bus in Queens

NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses

Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.

November 1 - Mass Transit

A rendering of the California high speed rail Fresno station. Two escalators leading into the station are visible.

California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer

The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.

November 1 - Railway News