— Written by Hana Leshner & the Pique Team

Welcome to the last edition of Climate Blueprints, a Pique Behind the Curtain mini-series exploring the neighborhood-level infrastructure keeping our cities livable. We’re zooming in on the Los Angeles region to see how local projects turn global goals into tangible community wins.

While LA County’s twin ports of LA and Long Beach are the busiest in the Western Hemisphere, they long suffered from major diesel congestion. The colossal effort to eliminate air pollution at the Port of Long Beach has been anchored in ambitious plans and massive investment for nearly two decades. 

Starting around 2005, the ports initiated ambitious environmental policies, backing them with significant infrastructure investment. This dedication is yielding remarkable progress: they are successfully trading decades of thick diesel smog for drastically cleaner air, proving that even the world’s busiest maritime hubs can navigate toward a carbon-neutral future. Now that’s what we call a shore bet for community health

The Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) ⚓⚡: A Breath of Fresh Air

The Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) serves as the bold roadmap guiding our docks toward a soot-free future. The goal is ambitious: 100% zero-emission drayage trucks by 2035 and zero-emission terminal equipment by 2030.

• Electrifying Everything: The Port is investing in zero-emission terminal equipment, including yard trucks and cranes, and supporting the transition to EV drayage trucks through incentive programs.

• Plugging In: Cargo ships now run off of the city’s power grid while parked instead of idling their diesel engines.

• On Dock Rail Expansion: Keep an eye on on-dock rail expansion. While the Port of LA recently finished a $73m on-dock rail expansion project, the Port of Long Beach is working to triple the amount of cargo moved by train, which could take thousands of trucks off the 710 freeway.  More trains, fewer tailpipes, and a much smoother ride for our coastal neighbors.

📊 By The Numbers

Diesel smog is a dangerous cocktail of pollutants, carrying health hazards like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides—chemicals linked to chronic conditions such as asthma.  Since 2005, the ports’ programs have achieved substantial emissions reductions even as container traffic rose for both.

The Port of Long Beach (container traffic up 44%)

• ⬇️  92% of diesel particulate matter

• ⬇️  71% of nitrogen oxides

• ⬇️  98% of sulfur oxides

• ⬇️  2% of GHGs

The Port of Los Angeles (container traffic up 38%)

• ⬇️  90% of diesel particulate matter

• ⬇️  73% of nitrogen oxides

• ⬇️  98% of sulfur oxides

• ⬇️  18% of GHGs

Why It Matters: Port-Adjacent Communities 🫁 🏙️

Cleaning the supply chain has more immediate impacts than reducing global carbon emissions. It’s about community health. Historically, neighborhoods like Wilmington and San Pedro face higher rates of asthma due to heavy truck traffic. By electrifying the Port, we ensure the engines of our economy don't dump their exhaust on our communities. Everyone deserves to breathe easy! 🌬️💙

My Local Blueprint 📣

You don't need to drive an electric semi-truck to help the air. This week, take 15 minutes to:

• Check Your Commute: Use a Carbon Footprint Calculator to see your impact. Can you swap one car trip for a bike or bus? 🚲🚌

• Track the Trends: View PurpleAir maps to see real-time air quality in your neighborhood. 

• Pause Before You Purchase: Consider the carbon footprint of transporting the goods you buy and take a beat before your next Impulse buy! 

📣 Community Announcements 📣 

🎦 Bloomberg Green Docs has announced that the 2026 competition is open for submissions. Enter your short climate documentary by August 14, 2026 to compete for a $25,000 prize!