The Port of Los Angeles has revealed that emissions of Nitrous Oxides (NOx), a key component of smog, have fallen by record levels at the port, down by 60 per cent when compared with 2005 levels.
The port's 2017 Inventory of Air Emissions, released this week, shows Los Angeles set new record low for emission reductions while its container volume reached an all-time high of 9.34m Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Overall, the 2017 findings show the port has maintained or exceeded the clean air progress it has made over the last 12 years, and has now met all of its 2023 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) goals.
According to the report, diesel particulate matter (DPM) remains down 86 per cent, and sulfur oxides (SOx) are down 98 per cent.
“Our port is driving the global economy forward – and showing the world how we can produce record-breaking growth and protect the environment at the same time,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our progress on reducing emissions to just a fraction of our 2005 levels – while we ship more cargo than ever – is proof that our Clean Air Action Plan is working and exceeding expectations.”
To reduce emissions while also significantly increasing cargo volumes, the port had to reduce the average amount of emissions it generates to move each container.
Using this type of measurement, the port also posted its best year ever, lowering the average amount of emissions the port generates to move each container of cargo for all eight pollutants tracked by the Port’s emissions inventory, including greenhouse gases (GHG), which were down 30 per cent per container on average since 2005.
