Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 16, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: 2025 CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
Metro plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions and in supporting efforts to meet global, state and local climate action goals. At the same time, Metro can be a regional leader in planning and preparing for the impacts of climate change. Metro last articulated commitments and contributions in both climate action and resilience in the 2019 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). This 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update reflects the progress Metro has made since the 2019 CAAP and incorporates new Board-adopted Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) targets. As of 2023, Metro has reduced operational GHG emissions by over 65% from the 2017 baseline and is forecasted to achieve a 76% reduction of 2017 GHG levels by 2030.
Background
BACKGROUND
In 2019, the Metro Board adopted a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan for the agency. This Plan outlined Metro’s strategies and measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, identified steps to further reduce emissions and build resilience, and set major goals including a goal of reducing operational emissions by 79% by 2030.
This 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Update responds to the Board’s request in April 2024 to track the adopted Vehicle Miles Traveled reduction targets in the CAAP and to also provide an update of this document. The 2025 CAAP Update demonstrates Metro’s progress since the release of the 2019 CAAP and describes how Metro is contributing to regional and state emissions reductions goals, delivering on the agency operational GHG reductions goals, and preparing for the impacts of climate change by assessing and addressing our main vulnerabilities.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The 2025 CAAP Update highlights how Metro is contributing to regional and state emissions reductions goals by providing a safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation alternative to single-occupancy vehicles. The CAAP Update also demonstrates that Metro is delivering on operational greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals while preparing for the impacts of climate change by assessing and addressing our main vulnerabilities.
Contributing to Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goals
Metro’s fundamental role in the region is to provide reliable and sustainable public transportation options. Through operation of rail and bus services, major capital project investments and the implementation of an ambitious Long Range Transportation Plan, Metro is reducing transportation emissions by providing low-carbon transportation options to LA County residents, employees, and visitors. In 2023, Metro’s services were responsible for 1.07 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of avoided emissions. Additionally, achieving the established VMT targets is projected to result in an additional reduction of around 500,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e) by 2045. These reduction benefits could be even more pronounced as the State’s policy goals around the adoption of zero emission vehicles and fuel efficiency are realized.
As Metro pursues these VMT reduction targets, staff are also committed to ongoing collaboration with regional partners to achieve greater regional VMT reductions. Metro coordinates these efforts in plans like the Regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, which strives to empower LA residents to choose alternative forms of transportation that reduce congestion, improve air quality, and save time.
Meeting Emissions Reductions Goals
As of 2023, Metro has reduced operational GHG emissions by over 65% from the 2017 baseline and is forecasted to achieve a 76% reduction of 2017 GHG levels by 2030. Much of the operational emissions reduction is largely due to Metro’s transition from diesel to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to power Metro buses, the implementation of Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs) on the Metro G Line, and other initiatives such as the enrollment of electric accounts into the Clean Power Alliance. To meet the goal of 79% reduction of 2017 GHG levels by 2030 established in the 2019 CAAP, the electricity Metro relies on to power Metro’s vehicles and facilities must transition to carbon-free energy sources.
Increasing Climate Resilience
In 2022, Metro conducted a climate risk screening of rail, subway, buses, employees and riders to better understand the degree of exposure to the impacts of climate change. Extreme heat poses significant challenges to Metro’s system and riders, with disproportionate impacts on Equity Focus Communities (EFCs). Many bus stops in these areas lack adequate infrastructure, leaving passengers vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
To address heat impacts, Metro has undertaken several initiatives since 2019, including the adoption of the Tree Policy, replacing the light rail system’s overhead wires with heat-resilient equipment, and identifying priority bus stops throughout the service region and partnering with local jurisdictions to increase cooling features at these stops. In August, Metro hosted a shade workshop highlighting the critical role of mitigating extreme heat episodes at bus stops.
Stakeholder Engagement
Metro consulted with groups of stakeholders during the development of the 2025 CAAP Update. Metro Departments came together in December 2024 to provide feedback on this plan, and staff also consulted with Metro’s Sustainability Council.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Metro’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is unique in how it centers equity. For example, the 2025 CAAP Update highlights Metro’s 2022 Climate Risk Screening and reports that many at-risk bus routes serve Equity Focus Communities (EFCs). Similarly, fewer than a quarter of Metro’s bus stops have adequate shelter to protect riders from extreme heat. Metro’s commitment to equity includes adopting the Equity Platform, investing in a zero-emission bus (ZEB) transition along the Metro G line that serves EFCs across North Hollywood, and advancing our Bus Stop Improvement Plan which identified a priority list of 153 highest-need bus stops. Additionally, Metro is supporting the Long Beach-East LA (LB-ELA) Corridor Mobility Investment Plan which aims to implement transit improvements, working directly with communities impacted by a disproportionately higher air pollution. Equity considerations are also central to Metro’s TDM programs strategy, which not only contributes to regional emissions, but also provide strategies that meet the unique needs of different communities, providing mobility options that empower residents to reach jobs, schools, and essential services regardless of where they live or their economic background.
Investing in these types of programs - in addition to providing the critical public transportation services that the public relies on - delivers equity co-benefits to Metro riders and the region, resulting in a healthier, safer future for LA County and its residents by improving air quality outcomes and providing vulnerable communities with improved transit access. Equity strategies are embedded in this plan and our update to ensure that historically underserved places and people, including Metro’s Equity Focus Communities, are prioritized for climate action and adaptation measures.
Vehicle Miles Traveled Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential effect on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts to achieve climate goals, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through planning activities that will benefit and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Specifically, this item provides an update on the status of Metro’s ongoing efforts to reduce regional emissions through achievement of the VMT targets. Metro’s Board adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build upon the success of existing investments, and this aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The 2025 CAAP Update supports Metro’s second, third, and fourth Strategic Plan Goals. The actions listed in the update outline Metro’s commitment to delivering outstanding trip experiences for all users of Metro’s system (Goal #2). The strategies and actions outlined in this policy advocate for equitable access to opportunities in alignment with Metro’s Equity Platform (Goal #3). This policy also aligns with the need to collaborate with regional agencies to maintain and enhance sustainable transit services (Goal #4).
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board adoption, the Office of Sustainability Policy is committed to working across internal departments and with external partners and stakeholders to continue implementing the work identified in the plan. The Office of Sustainability Policy has trained internal staff and will continue to provide tools to understand VMT and the emissions impacts of travel as staff prepare Board Reports that now include a VMT analysis section.
Attachment
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - 2025 Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Update
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Susana Reyes, Deputy Executive Officer, (213) 393-9742
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Nicole Englund, Chief of Staff, (213) 974-3333
