West LA Times

UCLA and the Port of Los Angeles have formalized a partnership through a memorandum of understanding, aiming to promote sustainability and improve community health. The agreement was signed during the South Bay Summit on November 15, an event organized in collaboration with the ADEPT Group and the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability at UCLA's South Bay campus in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The memorandum emphasizes collaborations with communities surrounding both the port and UCLA South Bay, such as San Pedro and Wilmington. It aims to support sustainability commitments while creating educational, research, and workforce opportunities for UCLA students, faculty, and local residents. The Port of Los Angeles plans to integrate advancements in maritime innovations, supply-chain management, clean technologies, and ocean sciences.

UCLA Interim Chancellor Darnell Hunt expressed that "UCLA and the Port of Los Angeles share core commitments to advancing sustainability, helping build healthier communities across the region and innovating for the public good." He added that this agreement will enable new collaborations between two significant institutions in Los Angeles.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka highlighted the partnership's potential by stating, "Joining our two formidable forces together, this evolving partnership has significant and long-term potential." He noted ongoing efforts to optimize port operations, reduce emissions, and promote eco-friendly practices around the port complex.

This agreement builds upon existing collaborations between UCLA and the port. The UCLA Samueli School of Engineering has previously partnered with the port on carbon dioxide removal technology projects. Other partnerships include initiatives from UCLA Anderson School of Management, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability focusing on energy operations assessment, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, as well as monitoring marine life populations.

UCLA South Bay is situated on a 25-acre site in Rancho Palos Verdes with additional facilities nearby in San Pedro. This acquisition was part of recent expansions by UCLA which also includes sites like UCLA Downtown and UCLA Research Park.