San Diego advances clean air initiatives

During its 11 February meeting, the Board of Port Commissioners approved a resolution to support development of the County of San Diego’s Regional Carbon Sustainability Plan, approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The San Diego Foundation focused on climate and coastal resiliency efforts, and received an update from staff on development of the port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) to identify and prioritize projects to further reduce emissions and improve air quality on and around San Diego Bay.

“The Port is committed to being a leader in cleaner air for our communities. At the start of the year, I made it clear that air quality and climate change issues will be important drivers in any effort, project or major deal we pursue and support over the next decade,” said Chairman Michael Zucchet, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Supporting these initiatives are prime examples of how the Port continues to make progress by collaborating with regional partners to deploy new strategies and technologies.”

As an extension of the port’s Climate Action Plan, the Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS) will identify and prioritise projects to further reduce emissions and improve air quality.

The Regional Carbon Sustainability Plan will see the development of a framework to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, ten years before the State of California’s carbon neutrality goal. Port staff will contribute by providing information on sources of emissions that are unique to the port such as goods movement vessels, vehicles and equipment.