Green Economy: Good for Business and Communities

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas welcomed hundreds of delegates to VerdeXchange’s 9th Annual Green Economy Marketmakers Conference to talk about ways to stimulate sustainable development – without degrading the environment.

“The green – or verde – agenda has become our new normal,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas told an audience of clean and green tech entrepreneurs, advanced vehicle manufacturers, software and hardware developers, public policymakers as well as procurers, innovative financiers and environmental stewards.

“The County of Los Angeles has set bold climate reduction goals, and are backing them up with meaningful policies and tools,” he added. “We acknowledge that what is good for the environment is good for community and good for business.”

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas noted the County, in partnership with UCLA, rolled out the Energy Atlas last fall. The interactive website made energy consumption data from throughout the region publicly available for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Agency, where Supervisor Ridley-Thomas serves as chairman of the board, has taken steps to build out the County’s transportation infrastructure with a keen eye toward sustainability. This includes applying green construction policies on rail projects and exploring the potential for electric buses.

VerdeXchange recognizes California and other western states as opportunity-rich markets for renewables and sustainable practices. During the conference, scheduled on January 24-26 at the LA Hotel Downtown, commercial entrepreneurs, global investors, environmental stewards and public officials gathered to learn about innovations, opportunities and policies driving the trillion dollar global energy and climate change marketplace.