Glossary

Vehicles that produce no pollutants in tailpipe emissions. ZEVs may include but are not limited to battery electric or fuel cell vehicles. ZEVs may still be responsible for some greenhouse gas emissions if the power charging the vehicle comes from fossil fuel sources.

Energy resources that emit no pollutants. This includes all renewable energy sources, as well as non-emitting energy resources such as large hydroelectric power and nuclear.

Farms, ranches, forests, and managed natural areas that support economic activity and land-based livelihoods. There areas supply life-sustaining resources including clean water, air, and food.

A zone of transition between unoccupied wildland and urban or suburban development.

A holistic approach to water management that is focused on maintaining and treating a contained geography as its own watershed, balancing on-site rainwater collection, wastewater reduction, and healthy ecosystems. A watershed approach takes into consideration both ground and surface water flow and may include strategies like native plants, bioswales, or rain gardens.

An area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet, such as the outflow of a reservoir, mouth of a bay, or any point along a stream channel.

The total amount of waste created within a jurisdiction (or by a business or residence); includes waste that is disposed of and diverted.

The process of managing a waste stream such that waste products do not end up in landfills. Waste can be diverted through strategies such as reuse, recycling, or composting.

Studies to determine the mix of waste types in the disposed waste of an area by collecting waste data and taking samples (i.e., waste audit). Waste characterization can determine how much of the disposed waste is recyclable, how much is organic, or how much is hazardous. This information is important for setting up recycling and reuse programs and developing strategies to reduce waste generation.

A measurement of walkability of a location. The Walk Score considers the walking commute between amenities, road metrics (e.g., block length and intersection density), and population density. Walk Scores can range from 1 to 100, where 90–100 is considered to be a “Walker’s Paradise.”

The population of LA County including older adults, people with disabilities, children, Native Americans, people of color, and people with chronic medical conditions that are at elevated risk of climate change or other societal impacts, such as extreme heat, economic policies, or inaccessible resources. These communities typically lack the resources to protect themselves from climate events or recover quickly from damage or illness.

A measurement of miles traveled by vehicles within a specified region for a specified time period.

The commitment to eliminate traffic-related deaths and severe injuries by a certain date.

The unrestricted growth of urban areas into surrounding areas with low-density development and high car dependence.

Public landscaping and urban forestry projects that benefit both residents and their environments.

Agriculture practices in urban areas that take the form of backyard, rooftop, or balcony gardening, community gardening in vacant lots or parks, or roadside agriculture and livestock grazing in available open space.

The process of transforming by-products, waste materials, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality and environmental value.

More than 65 percent of the County (or 2,654 square miles) is unincorporated, meaning that it does not lie within a city boundary. For the population of nearly 1 million people living in these areas, the County Board of Supervisors acts as their city council, and the supervisor representing a specific area acts as the city mayor. County departments provide the municipal services for these areas. There are approximately 120 unincorporated areas in LA County.

Strategies to change travel behavior to reduce traffic congestion, increase safety and mobility, and conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These strategies are intended to reduce the demand for roadway travel and increase the overall efficiency of a local or regional transportation system. Strategies may include ridesharing, telecommuting, park-and-ride programs, pedestrian improvements and alternative work schedules.

A planning strategy that explicitly links land-use and transportation by focusing mixed housing, employment and commercial growth around bus and rail stations (usually within half a mile). TODs can reduce the number and length of vehicle trips by encouraging more bicycle/pedestrian and transit use and can support transit investments by creating the density around stations to boost ridership.

The process of converting nonrecyclable waste materials into usable forms of energy (such as electricity, heat, or fuel) through methods like combustion, gasification, or anaerobic digestion.

Emissions concentrations scaled based on a toxicity factor. This means that emissions that are more toxic to human health have a higher weight than less toxic emissions. The primary source for toxicity data is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators model.

A strategy to manage declining industries, such as the oil and gas industry, and phase them out.

Individually metering and billing units based on consumption in a traditionally master-metered building (or one where a single meter measures the entire building’s consumption). These systems give residents more visibility and control over their consumption. Sub-metering can also refer to separately metering different energy or water end uses, such as lighting separately from conditioning, to better understand building energy use and identify potential maintenance issues or efficiency opportunities.

The practice of minimizing the amount and toxicity of waste generated at its origin before it enters the waste stream. This means designing, producing, and consuming products in ways that reduce waste and environmental impact from the outset.

The proper separation of different waste streams for waste collection and treatment, such as properly separating and disposing of paper recycling from organic waste.

Digital meters that record energy or water consumption and communicate the information to the supplier for monitoring and billing.

Privately operated vehicle that contains only one driver or occupant.

Officially designated areas within LA County with irreplaceable biological resources. These areas are identified through the SEA Program, intended to conserve the genetic and physical diversity within LA County. Development on any SEA is overseen through the LA County SEA Ordinance to balance preservation of the County’s natural biodiversity with private property rights.

Techniques for prioritizing bus travel in roadways. Signal prioritization aims to improve service reliability and reduce delays for mass transit vehicles at lighted intersections by programming traffic signals to shorten stop times for buses.

Shocks are sudden, disruptive events that threaten or impact the County’s immediate well-being. These can include earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, public health emergencies, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, chemical spills, financial crises, extreme heat, flooding, and infrastructure outages or failures. Stresses are chronic, long-term challenges that weaken the County’s natural, built, economic, and social systems, including the capacity of its workforce and communities to respond and adapt. These include inequities in income, health, and education, crime and violence, homelessness, economic instability, lack of affordable housing, food insecurity, climate change, air pollution, and the heat island effect.

Land uses that are occupied by vulnerable populations, such as children, older populations, and populations with chronic illnesses, that are particularly sensitive to high levels of air pollution. Sensitive uses may include playgrounds, daycare centers, schools, residences, or medical facilities.

A countywide measure approved by a majority of voters in the November 2018 election. Measure W is funded by a parcel tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of impermeable areas (like concrete driveways and sidewalks) within the County. The funds from the parcel tax are used to support an integrated and holistic approach to stormwater management.

An effort to reduce the parking footprint and ensure that parking lots and other infrastructure are not oversized for the local demand. Right-sized parking can incentivize public transportation use and active transportation modes.

To extend the life of products and materials by using them again instead of discarding them. This can include repairing items, repurposing materials, or donating goods so they can be used by others.

The process of improving the efficiency of existing building systems and equipment by ensuring that the equipment is operating appropriately and that setpoints and maintenance are sufficient. Retro-commissioning measures are typically low-cost and may include installing pipe insulation, reducing temperature setpoints during the nighttime, or ensuring that lights are turned off when they should be (through lighting controls or timers).

The capacity to survive, adapt, and thrive in the face of chronic stresses and acute shocks and to even transform as conditions require. See also Shocks and Stresses.

Energy that comes from resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves, bioenergy, hydrogen, and geothermal.

State housing law requires the California Department of Housing and Community Development to determine the total number of new homes a region needs to build—and how affordable those homes need to be—to meet the housing needs of people at all income levels. The region then distributes a share of the housing need to each local government in the region. Each local government must then update its Housing Element of its general plan to show the locations where housing can be built and the policies and strategies necessary to meet the community’s housing needs.

A set of holistic land management and agriculture practices that reverses the effects of climate change through rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. Practices that make up regenerative agriculture include well-managed grazing, using compost, or minimal tillage.

A government-sponsored practice that exacerbated inequality by prioritizing home loans in desirable areas for White homeowners, driving away low-income people and people of color and leaving them with fewer pathways to home ownership, reduced economic security, and a decreased ability to adapt to shocks and stresses, such as the impacts of climate change.

To minimize the amount of waste generated in the first place. This involves choosing products with less packaging, avoiding single-use items, and making thoughtful consumption choices to prevent unnecessary waste.

Water that has been consumed and then reclaimed with additional treatment to be reused for potable and nonpotable processes, like irrigation, environmental restoration, or toilet flushing. See also Graywater.

Processing used materials into new products, diverting them from landfills, and conserving natural resources. Recycling helps reduce the need for raw materials and lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with production.

Processes that divert waste from landfills by extracting value from materials through recycling, composting, and energy generation. It includes both material recovery (e.g., recycling and composting) and energy recovery (e.g., converting waste to energy through controlled combustion or anaerobic digestion).

A local ordinance that requires projects to exceed minimum energy, water, or other sustainability requirements established in applicable building codes. Reach codes allow the opportunity to aggressively pursue local sustainability goals while also aligning with mandatory requirements.

A collaborative arrangement between public agencies and private-sector entities to design, finance, build, operate, or maintain public assets and services. These partnerships can leverage private expertise and capital to deliver infrastructure and community services more efficiently, while sharing risks and responsibilities between sectors.

See Significant Ecological Areas.

A type of electric vehicle that combines a traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery.

A combination of solid and liquid droplets found in the air. Particulate matter can include dust, dirt, soot, or smoke. Some PM is large enough to be seen, but other types are microscopic (fine particulate matter). Fine particulate matter can travel deeply into the human respiratory tract and can cause negative health effects, such as throat irritation, coughing, or asthma.

Biodegradable waste containing materials from living organisms. Organic waste may include food waste, green waste, landscaping and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, or food-soiled paper waste that is mixed with food waste. Organic waste can be processed through composting or anaerobic digestion.

A piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.

Designated census tracts where tax incentives are offered for investment. These zones provide a tax incentive for investors to reinvest their unrealized capital gains into dedicated Opportunity Funds. Opportunity Zones are intended to spur growth in low-income and disinvested communities.

The transition from one form of transportation to another, typically from higher-emission modes like single-occupancy vehicles to more sustainable options such as walking, biking, public transit, or shared mobility.

A range of multiunit or clustered housing types, such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and courtyard apartments, that fall between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. These housing types are considered “missing” because they have been largely absent from new development in many communities, despite offering more affordable and flexible living options.

Transportation options that include personal vehicles meant to carry one or two passengers such as bicycles, small electric cars, or scooters.

An electrical distribution network that is connected to two or more buildings in a local area that can enter into “island mode” (i.e., operate in isolation from the central or local electricity distribution network) and provide power to buildings without using the central grid.

A gas made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Methane is the main component of natural gas, commonly used as a fuel for heating. It is released during the production and distribution of natural gas but also through livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in landfills. Like carbon dioxide, methane is a greenhouse gas and exacerbates climate change. However, methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide, meaning that it has a much larger effect than the same amount of CO2.

The measure that introduces an annual one-and-a-half-cent parcel tax per square foot of building floor area on taxable real property in LA County. Measure A, or the Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure of 2016, authorizes dedicated local funding for park, recreation, and open space projects and their maintenance.

Thresholds for drinking water systems set by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the California State Water Resources Control Board to monitor water quality. MCLs are measured at the water-treatment plant before drinking water is distributed, and any violations trigger notifications to billed customers.

Different groups of people or populations of a given culture, context, and history at risk of being subjected to multiple forms of discrimination because of the interplay of different personal characteristics or grounds, such as sex, gender, age, ethnicity, religion or belief, health status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, education or income, or living in various geographic localities.

A designated area of land used to separate or mitigate the impacts between different land uses, typically between industrial or high-impact activities and more sensitive uses like residential areas, schools, or natural habitats.

Streets that combine elements of bicycle and pedestrian accessibility with landscaping and green infrastructure to lower temperatures and provide ecological benefits.

Utility pricing structure in which low-income households are charged lower rates on nondiscretionary water and/or electricity consumption and higher rates on water and/or electricity consumed beyond that amount.

An approach to material production and consumption that evaluates all stages of a material’s life, including production, use, and disposal.

The development of new residential units on vacant or underused parcels of land within existing urban areas.

A planning ordinance that requires a given share of new residential construction to be affordable to people with low to moderate incomes.

Solid surfaces, such as paved roads and parking lots, that do not allow water to penetrate into the ground below.

The days during which temperatures exceed 95°F.

A measurable increase in ambient urban air temperatures resulting primarily from the replacement of vegetation with buildings, roads, and other heat-absorbing infrastructure. The heat island effect can result in significant temperature differences between rural and urban areas.

Natural areas that connect patches of habitat to one another so that local species can travel between otherwise isolated patches of habitat.

The degree to which patches of land used as habitat by local plants and animals are connected to one another. Habitat connectivity ensures that species are able to move around freely to mate, hunt, forage, or reproduce. Habitat connectivity also allows species the ability to migrate to preferable areas in the case of habitat loss or climate events.

Wastewater generated in homes and offices, sourced from baths, sinks, washing machines, or kitchen appliances. Graywater may contain amounts of dirt, food, grease, or cleaning products but does not have fecal contamination.

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere by absorbing and emitting solar radiation within the atmosphere, causing a greenhouse effect that warms the atmosphere and leads to global climate change. The main human-made GHGs are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons.

A policy for procuring goods and services that are more environmentally friendly and cause minimal damage to the environment, compared with conventional products. This may include purchasing materials with recycled content or procuring caterers that use reusable serviceware.

A method for naturally managing rain and storm waters. Green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater runoff while also improving the local environment by mimicking natural processes. Green infrastructure includes strategies such as green roofs, bioswales, and permeable pavements.

The transportation of goods in a sustainable fashion using alternative fuels and freight and shipping innovations.

A process in which cleaning polluted areas or providing environmentally beneficial amenities increases local property values and causes displacement of current residents. See also Displacement.

An economy powered by renewable energy sources, where net economic production minimizes waste and hazardous byproducts and ecological restoration is essential.

A type of electric vehicle that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water vapor as the only emission.

Hydrocarbon fuels formed over millions of years by natural processes, such as the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. Typical fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.

The collection of plant and animal species, respectively, in a certain geographic location.

An area of low-lying land near a stream or river subject to flooding during periods of high flow, such as heavy rains. These landscapes provide vital benefits, including natural flood and erosion control, improved water quality, groundwater recharge, rich biological productivity, critical wildlife habitat, and opportunities for recreation and scenic open space.

Areas identified by CAL FIRE that have a high probability of fire hazards. These zones are determined based on factors such as fuel, slope, terrain conditions, and weather patterns. Degrees of fire hazard can range from moderate to high to very high. Although these designations do not specifically identify areas where wildfires will occur, they represent areas where wildfire hazards could be more severe and are of greater concern.

Urban sprawl beyond existing communities. See also Urban Sprawl.

The responsibility of the producer or manufacturer of a product for end-of-life management. This level of responsibility encourages producers and manufacturers to create products that minimize negative impacts and waste.

A philosophy to minimize societal harms and maximize benefits in the development, design, and application of artificial intelligence systems.

Defined by California state law as “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.”

The amount of energy consumed by a building over a period of time and normalized by another factor, such as per square foot or per person. Energy use intensity is most often represented as the total energy consumption of one building in one year divided by the total gross floor area of the building. These factors allow for the comparison of building performance across buildings of different types and sizes.

Technologies that collect generated energy so it may be used at another time. Energy storage includes electric systems, such as batteries, as well as thermal systems, such as hot and cold water storage tanks. Energy storage can enhance the technical and economic viability of a distributed generation system and can operate critical systems during grid outages or in the case of emergency.

A measure of a building’s energy performance compared with similar buildings nationwide. A score of 50 represents median energy performance, while a score of 75 or better indicates that the building is a top performer and may be eligible for ENERGY STAR® Certification.

A no-cost, interactive energy management tool offered by ENERGY STAR® that allows building owners and operators to track and assess energy and water consumption across one or multiple buildings.

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy program that promotes energy efficiency and provides information to consumers and businesses to consider and select high efficiency equipment.

The use of less energy to provide the same service. A process, building, machine, or other energy consuming object is more energy efficient if it delivers more functions or services for the same energy input or the same function or service for less energy input, compared with a conventional process.

An umbrella term for various vehicle types that use electricity as their primary fuel source for propulsion or as a means to improve the efficiency of conventional internal combustion engines. These include battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles.

Scooters with an electric motor that assist with user mobility. See also micromobility.

The benefits that people receive from ecosystem functions.

The natural processes—biological, chemical, or physical—that take place within an ecosystem. Ecosystem functions include decomposition, production of plant matter, and photosynthesis.

The potential of someone to realize economic success. Similar to economic mobility, economic opportunity can be influenced by many factors, such as where one lives and goes to school or the availability of jobs.

Decentralized sources of energy that are smaller than utility-scale energy sources and can be aggregated to provide the power necessary to meet regular demand.

The process that occurs when the increasing property values brought about through gentrification drive out existing residents and business operators and attract a new and different demographic population to an area. Lower-income residents may also become unable to access housing in certain areas because of increasing housing prices. See also Green Gentrification.

Communities that suffer most from a combination of economic, health and environmental burdens as defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. These burdens typically include poverty, unemployment, health conditions, air and water pollution, and hazardous waste.

Construction of new buildings that substantially changes the intensity of the use of land. This general definition is distinct from regulatory definitions of development where, for example, construction for the purposes of existing building maintenance is defined as development.

Major changes to the structure or systems of an existing building for the purpose of achieving significant reductions in energy consumption (and operational costs) with the use of more efficient technologies, products, and designs. Deep energy retrofits may also reduce water consumption and improve occupant amenities.

An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and keeping resources in use for as long as possible. It emphasizes designing products and systems that prioritize reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling, creating a closed-loop system where materials continuously flow back into the economy.

High albedo, or reflective, and pervious surfaces that reflect more light and trap less heat than conventional surfaces. These surfaces can help mitigate the heat island effect. Examples include cool roofs (white roofs, green roofs), pervious pavement, and light-colored pavement and roads.

A transportation demand management strategy to reduce peak-period vehicle traffic, often in urban centers. Congestion pricing involves charging road users during set peak times or dynamically based on demand, acting essentially as variable road tolls. Funds raised can be used for transportation improvements.

Census tracts characterized by high levels of socioeconomic hardship, as defined by a Los Angeles County analysis. The designation is based on a composite index of five standardized census indicators: percentage of individuals below the poverty line, receiving public assistance, in female-headed households, unemployed, and under age 18. These indicators are averaged to identify communities facing the greatest cumulative disadvantage.

The product, rich in nutrients, resulting from the decomposition of organic material. Material used to make compost includes landscape trimmings, agricultural crop residues, paper pulp, food scrap, wood chips, manure, and biosolids. These are typically referred to as feedstock.

A neighborhood that features necessary resources, such as grocery stores, banks, childcare, and medical services, all within a small geographic vicinity for easy access.

An approach to research that mobilizes volunteers to work alongside scientists to help answer questions about the world. The City Nature Challenge is an example of a community science initiative in which residents can contribute images and information on their local flora and fauna, supporting the research into the biodiversity of the region.

Community-controlled nonprofits that purchase vacant land or existing property, construct housing, and sell or rent these housing units to low- to middle-income families. Land purchased remains in the permanent custody of community land trusts, effectively removing them from the speculative housing market, and thereby keeping housing prices at affordable levels.

The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills. These skills may include fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. Training in LA County is offered by the County Fire Department.

An analysis of the extent to which a species, habitat, ecosystem or community is susceptible to harm from climate change impacts. Vulnerability assessments are an integral component of climate adaptation planning.

A system or jurisdiction that has net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Strategies to achieve carbon neutrality include renewable energy supply, efficient buildings, low-carbon transportation, sustainable materials choices, and deep retrofits to existing buildings and infrastructure. Carbon neutrality may require carbon sequestration technologies to capture the remainder of GHG emissions.

Contributing fewer carbon emissions compared with a conventional process while still providing the same service. A building, machine, or process is carbon-efficient if it can deliver more functions or services for the same amount of carbon emissions or the same function or service for fewer carbon emissions, compared with a conventional alternative.

A greenhouse gas made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms that is released primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, other hydrocarbons, solid waste, and trees and wood products. Changes in land use also have an impact. Deforestation and soil degradation add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, while forest regrowth takes it out of the atmosphere. Although carbon dioxide is naturally occurring, the proportion of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is increasing as a result of human activities. Increasing concentration levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases contribute to climate change.

The process of reducing and ultimately eliminating greenhouse gas emissions associated with buildings. Operationally, the building is energy efficient and uses renewable, zero-carbon energy sources for heating, cooling, and power. Additionally, a newly constructed building can incorporate reused, recycled, and other materials with low carbon intensity.

Areas across the globe that are biologically rich and threatened by development, urbanization, pollution, and disease. There are 36 total qualified world biodiversity hotspot areas, of which the California Floristic Province, inclusive of LA County, is one.

The variety and variability of flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Biodiversity can be observed on macro levels, micro levels, and in between. Biodiversity is complex, fragile, and increasingly threatened by urbanization and climate change. Rich biodiversity supports many aspects of human life, from food and medicine to environmental quality.

The repurposing of material waste for new uses, instead of sending it to a landfill, in a way that is economically feasible and limits negative impacts. Examples include using newspaper as insulation material, glass bottles as decorative tiling in homes, or food waste to create compost.

The practice of breeding, raising, and harvesting aquatic organisms, such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed, in controlled environments.

Affordable housing properties that are nearing the end of their affordability restrictions and/or subsidies and may convert to market rate in the next five years.

A process by which organic matter, such as food waste or sewage, is broken down in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas and biofertilizer.

Housing that costs no more than 30 percent of a household’s monthly income. Most affordable
housing developments are intended for households making 60 percent or less than the area
median income.

Removing paved areas, such as asphalt and concrete, and replacing them with soil and growing space for trees and plants.

Walking, running, biking, skateboarding, traveling by scooter, and other human-powered modes of transportation. It can also include low-speed electrical devices, such as motorized wheelchairs, e-scooters, and electric-assist bicycles.

The effort to adjust systems, behaviors, infrastructure, and institutions in response to climate change to lessen future impacts.