Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, 4th District, on Feb. 9 introduced a motion to require all new residential and commercial buildings in Los Angeles to be built so that they will achieve zero-carbon emissions.

The motion was co-sponsored by Council President Nury Martinez, 6th District, and Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District; Paul Koretz, 5th District; and Marqueece Harris-Dawson, 8th District.

“Every year, we are seeing temperatures rise to unprecedented levels, wildfire seasons that last long past their due and droughts becoming more and more severe,” Raman said. “We are seeing our air quality threaten residents’ health and our native species becoming endangered. When is enough, enough? The low-hanging fruit of what we can do to combat climate change is gone. We need bold solutions, and we need them now.”

Buildings in Los Angeles account for 43% of greenhouse gas emissions – more than any other sector in the city, including transportation. Zero-carbon buildings have better indoor air quality, lower construction costs, fewer safety risks – especially during earthquakes – and lower climate emissions than equivalent mixed-fuel buildings, Raman said.

“Forging a carbon neutral Los Angeles means cutting emissions from buildings, which presents one of our greatest opportunities to stem the tide of the climate crisis and return stronger from the pandemic,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “This motion from Councilmember Raman is a critical step toward a zero carbon future and will accelerate our path to zero carbon buildings, create good paying jobs and prioritize the well-being of our most vulnerable communities.”

The motion further stipulates that when developing its decarbonization plan, the city must center equity, energy justice, housing justice and environmental justice and incorporate the recommendations put forth by the city’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Office in its upcoming Climate Equity L.A. Series.

“I am proud to co-introduce this motion, which builds on our groundbreaking environmental initiatives underway in the city of Los Angeles,” said O’Farrell, chair of the council’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and River Committee. “Building energy decarbonization is an important component of our ‘LA100’ plan, which is transitioning Los Angeles away from dirty energy and will achieve 100% carbon-free energy in the city by 2035.”

“Today, we begin a journey to rid our new buildings of methane as soon as possible and thereby free the lungs of Angelenos from indoor air pollution and free the Earth from one of the most dangerous and insidious greenhouse gasses,” Koretz said. “Most importantly, we will do it right, with the financial well-being of each Angeleno firmly in mind, as well.”

The motion instructs the city’s Department of Building and Safety, with assistance from the city attorney and all relevant departments, to report back within 180 days with a plan for the implementation of an ordinance or regulatory framework effective on or before Jan. 1, 2023.