Port of Long Beach presents at Climate Week NYC. CIENNA RYDMAN / THE QUADRANGLE
Cienna Rydman, Contributor
The Port of Long Beach in California presented its “Port of the Future” initiative at Climate Week NYC, which runs Sept. 20 through Sept. 27, and consists of more than 1,500 events to showcase a vision of doubling cargo while becoming the world’s first zero-emissions port; proving that environmental progress and economic progress are not mutually exclusive.
Launched in 2009 by the international non-profit Climate Group as a parallel event to the annual United Nations General Assembly to drive urgent climate action issues regarding the global environment, this year’s event drew leaders from across the political and industrial spectrum, including California assembly members, state senators, supporting mayors from multiple states and leadership representatives from the ports of New York, New Jersey, Seattle and Oakland, CA.
With a history of environmental leadership spanning two decades, port executives emphasized that sustainability and economic expansion rely heavily on teamwork. At the event, Noel Hacegaba, Port of Long Beach CEO, noted the importance of ports in relation to partnerships.
“Now all of you know that ships are very important to ports, aren’t they? But just as important as the ships themselves are the partnerships,” Hacagaba said. “We’ve demonstrated to the world that you can grow green, and we’ve got big plans for the future.”
Long Beach CA Mayor Rex Richardson highlighted the significance of the port’s new standard on a national and global scale; celebrating their updates towards a vision of doubling cargo while becoming the world’s first zero-emissions port.
“The Port of Long Beach are proud to announce here at Climate Week, which will set a new standard nationally and globally to show that again, environmental progress and economic progress will not be too exclusive,” Richardson said. “We can do both in Long Beach and we can do both here.”
While this new environmental technology is central to the port’s updated vision of doubling cargo capacity while eliminating emissions, questions often arise on the impact on local employment. Peter Stone, senior vice president of Brookfield Asset, a partner in the initiative, directly addressed those concerns, assuring the public that human labor stays at the core of the project.
“Well, the future doesn’t mean we don’t need people,” Stone said, highlighting a partnership with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and environmental advocates, he added that the goal is to create “the first zero emission terminal with human operated equipment that is fully supported… so it’s for the people and the community of Long Beach.”
Stone also praised local and state collaboration, noting that the port’s 2050 vision benefits immensely from local leadership and California’s vision of the environmental framework. California State Senator, Catherine Blakespear, echoed this sentiment, pointing to California as a driving force for environmental change praising the port’s leadership and impact.
“The Port of Long Beach is the pride of California…,” Blakespear said. “ I just couldn’t be prouder to recognize what California is doing in the climate landscape and how sustainability is forward.”
As Climate Week concludes, the Port of Long Beach’s “Port of the Future” initiative serves as a major blueprint for how major shipping hubs can modernize, protect public health and support local communities simultaneously.