Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Finland's Trade Minister Ville Tavio are officially joining forces in the battle against climate change. The power duo signed a ground-breaking Letter of Intent (LOI) that's set to revolutionize how LA and Finland tackle carbon neutrality and economic growth, the Mayor’s office announced on December 13th. This move comes after two years of strategizing on how to hit ambitious clean energy targets and marks the first formal climate cooperation between the city and the Finnish ministry.
The Letter of Intent signed today by Minister @VilleTavio and @MayorOfLA Karen Bass lays foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation between 🇫🇮 and the @LACity. It provides opportunities for Finnish expertise in the field of ports, mobility, built environment and energy. pic.twitter.com/IjTLQDPW1N
— MFA Finland 🇫🇮 (@Ulkoministerio) March 14, 2024
The agreement specifically outlines a joint commitment to make sure to achieve 100% clean energy in Los Angeles by 2035. "The City of Los Angeles is grateful for our partnership with Finland as we continue to explore innovative ways to confront the climate crisis and strengthen business, investment, and green jobs in our region," Mayor Bass explained in a statement obtained by the Mayor’s office. Minister Tavio echoed the sentiment, noting the mutual benefits, stating, "We have a lot to offer to and learn from each other."
Under the new LOI, Los Angeles and Finland will collaborate on technology for smart and green ports, sustainable mobility and transit, decarbonizing built environments, and enhancing renewable energy and grid resiliency. Just last week, Bass boasted of capturing an additional 5 billion gallons of stormwater in February 2024 compared to last year, signaling LA’s stride towards greener pastures. The city is also leading in electric vehicle adoption, with the most electric vehicles and chargers in the nation.
Laying out the details of the partnership, Mayor Bass will soon team up with EPA Administrator Michael Regan at the Port of Los Angeles to showcase the significant role the EPA plays in nationwide climate response efforts. This visit, part of a larger push for capitalizing on economic opportunity while facing the climate challenge head-on, signifies LA's intent to not only talk the talk but walk the walk.
The partnership, while ambitious, is structured as a non-binding framework that allows for innovation free of legal entanglements. The LOI emphasizes peer learning, information sharing, and forging direct contacts among public and private sectors aimed at driving sustainable solutions forward. Though it doesn't include financial commitments, participants are open to separately funding specific joint projects, especially those creating intellectual property.
Both Los Angeles and Finland have established themselves as leaders eager to reach carbon neutrality, with LA aiming for 2050 and Finland setting sights on 2035. The full LOI details the scope of their shared vision and the strategies to bring about a greener, more resilient future grounded in cooperation and innovation. As the five-year agreement stands, the groundwork is laid, and the city of stars is poised to shine a little greener, thanks to this transatlantic climate alliance.
