Buildings and infrastructure, such as our water systems and tree canopy, are integral components of our daily lives. It is critical that these systems enable and support the well-being of the communities they serve. In the past, buildings were often constructed without consideration for sustainability, resilience, or health. For example, older buildings built without proper insulation and with large south-facing windows heat up quickly. This requires a significant amount of cooling and contributes to unhealthy environments.
Furthermore, our infrastructure systems often lack resiliency and redundancy, such as a diverse range of water sources during droughts, use of open space to manage flooding, or cool surfaces and canopies that mitigate urban heat. The buildings and infrastructure of both yesterday and tomorrow will need to use more efficient technologies and practices that reduce resource use, improve health, and increase resilience.
The fires that ravaged LA County in January 2025 highlighted how climate change is leading to more intense and frequent wildfires and, in turn, the increasing need to mitigate and adapt to these more extreme conditions. We will need to ensure that our buildings and infrastructure can withstand and mitigate impacts, cope with potential consequences, and even take advantage of potential opportunities that climate events may create. OurCounty will help create a built environment that supports healthy, active lifestyles and adapts to provide protection against climate risks, now and in the future.
Integrate climate adaptation and resilience into planning, buildings, infrastructure, and community development decisions
Read moreEnsure that shade and a climate-appropriate, healthy community tree canopy are equitably distributed
Read more| Baseline | Progress | 2030 Target | 2035 Target | 2045 Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countywide | LA County has 271,415 acres of pavement Source: DepaveLA Assessment (ARLA, Hyphae) |
New target, no progress update |
Replace 500 acres of pavement at schools and in public spaces with multi-benefit and nature-based solutions |
Replace 1,000 acres of pavement at schools and in public spaces with multi-benefit and nature-based solutions |
Replace 1,600 acres of pavement at schools and in public spaces with multi-benefit and nature-based solutions |
| Countywide | In 2017, there were 1,285 heat stress emergency department visits Source: LA County Department of Public Health / CA Department of Health Care Access and Information |
In 2022, there were 1,195 heat stress emergency department visits |
Avoid 10% of projected heat stress emergency |
Avoid 20% of projected heat stress emergency |
Avoid 30% of projected heat stress emergency |
| Countywide | 41% of LA County’s LA County had 2,780 acre-feet of additional local supply captured in 2020 Source: LA County Water Plan |
LA County had 13,050 acre-feet of additional local water supply in 2024 |
Increase local water supply sources by 175,000 acre-feet per year |
Increase local water supply sources by 310,000 acre-feet per year |
Increase local water supply sources by 580,000 acre-feet per year |
| Unincorporated | Unincorporated LA County had 15.9% urban tree canopy cover in 2020 Source: LA County Community Forest Management Plan |
The County created a new methodology for measuring canopy cover as part of the Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP) that will be used for |
Achieve at least 18% |
Achieve at least 20% |
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