The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan on Tuesday, establishing what officials call the nation's most ambitious regional roadmap for environmental action with 179 action items designed to enhance community well-being and resilience.
The updated plan builds on the county's original 2019 sustainability blueprint, which established 12 overarching goals centered on environment, equity and economy. More than half of the original plan's action items have been achieved or remain on track to meet target dates.
"Since the adoption of the County's original sustainability plan in 2019, Los Angeles County has navigated unprecedented challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to catastrophic wildfires that have tested the strength of our infrastructure and communities," said Board Chair Kathryn Barger. "The 2025 Plan builds on those lessons to advance a more resilient and forward-looking framework."
The plan comes as global leaders gather in Brazil for COP30 climate talks and amid federal rollbacks of environmental protections under the Trump administration.
"This year has truly tested us all — from the January wildfires to the Trump Administration's rollbacks on environmental protections and funding," said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who sponsored the motion. "This makes it clear that our sustainability work is not optional — it is essential."
Since 2019, Los Angeles County has achieved significant milestones, including adopting an ordinance to phase out oil and gas extraction in unincorporated areas, developing more than 110 acres of new parkland, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from county operations by over 40% since 2009, and installing 1,500 electric vehicle chargers at county facilities.
The county also invested nearly $1 billion in stormwater capture projects and transitioned hundreds of thousands of residents to 100% renewable energy through the Clean Power Alliance.
A countywide survey conducted during the plan's development found that nearly 70% of respondents agreed Los Angeles County is more sustainable than five years ago, though fewer — 62% — feel the region is better prepared for climate change. Air quality emerged as residents' top concern across all areas of the county.
The 2025 plan introduces new focus areas including wildfire risk management, community resilience through battery storage systems and microgrids, and tribal and indigenous partnerships through a new Office of Tribal Affairs.
Other priorities include ocean and marine systems protection, green goods movement with zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, green economy development, and resource circularity to increase sustainable building materials use.
"The updated OurCounty Plan lays out a brave path for policymakers and residents alike," said Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath. "This type of innovation and ambitious goal-setting is critical, especially as federal decision-makers continue to weaken environmental protections and dismantle climate-resilience initiatives."
The board's action directs the Chief Sustainability Office to coordinate implementation and report progress annually. The plan will be updated every five years, and the County Sustainability Council will expand to include departments such as Economic Opportunity, Youth Development, and Homeless Services and Housing.
At the same meeting, supervisors approved $134.2 million in Stormwater Investment Plans for the Safe, Clean Water Program. The program has funded 136 infrastructure projects countywide, representing over $1.6 billion in total investments.
The comprehensive plan envisions accessible streets and parks, clean air and water, affordable housing, climate-ready communities with resilient infrastructure, and a renewable energy-based economy replacing fossil fuel dependence.
Edited by SMDP Staff