March 2025 Newsletter: From Japan to California — shipping goes green and communities demand action
Welcome to the March 2025 edition of Pacific Environment’s monthly newsletter! This is an opportunity to highlight some of our work and tell the stories of our success.
JUMP AHEAD
- Pacific Environment expands clean shipping advocacy to Japan
- With Pacific Environment’s support, South Korea passes landmark offshore wind law
- Stop the smoke and mirrors: Demand a strong ports air regulation rule
- Environmental advocates denounce California’s failure to implement plastic pollution prevention law amid plastic industry influence
- Pacific Environment experts weigh in on the future of clean ports
- Pacific Environment welcomes Davina Hurt as California climate policy director
- We cannot become complacent. Make a gift today.
SHIPPING
Pacific Environment expands clean shipping advocacy to Japan
Strengthening partnerships to support Japan’s carbon-neutral port goal
Pacific Environment is expanding its zero-emission shipping initiatives into Japan, building on its work across the Pacific Rim. With Japan’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, our team recently engaged with key stakeholders — including government officials, industry leaders and academics — to support port decarbonization efforts. The Port of Yokohama, a leader in these initiatives, is exploring innovative green energy solutions, such as offshore wind power and battery tankers.
We are excited to collaborate with Japan’s port leaders and policymakers to drive the transition to carbon-neutral ports and green shipping corridors. Pacific Environment’s shipping and partnership experts Katsunori Hirano and Carolina Velasquez provide more details on our blog.
Learn moreCLIMATE
With Pacific Environment’s support, South Korea passes landmark offshore wind law
New legislation paves the way for clean energy and maritime decarbonization
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, just took a major step toward clean energy with the passage of the Special Act on Offshore Wind, clearing regulatory hurdles and fast-tracking renewable development. This new law streamlines permitting, strengthens government coordination and supports local jobs while securing clean energy for communities and advancing zero-emission shipping.
Pacific Environment helped drive this win by advocating for international shipping regulations to boost renewable energy demand and facilitating discussions in port cities to ensure offshore wind benefits local communities. As enforcement moves forward, continued work is needed to refine environmental protections and public interest measures.
Learn morePORTS FOR PEOPLE
Stop the smoke and mirrors: Demand a strong ports air regulation rule
Southern California air regulators must prioritize public health over polluter profits
For nearly two decades, communities in the South Coast Air Basin have waited for a Ports Indirect Source Rule (ISR) that delivers real emission reductions and transparent data monitoring. Instead, obstructionist tactics from the ports and industry lobbyists have stalled progress, putting public health at risk. Frontline communities — already suffering from some of the worst pollution in the nation — deserve a rule with teeth, not more delays and voluntary agreements that let polluters off the hook. It’s time for the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to fulfill its duty and adopt a strong rule that protects portside communities from the toxic impacts of dirty shipping.
Join us in demanding clean air and accountability. Sign our petition and urge SCAQMD to pass a Ports ISR that prioritizes public health over corporate profits.
Act nowPLASTICS
Environmental advocates denounce California’s failure to implement plastic pollution prevention law amid plastic industry influence
Governor Newsom misses deadline on landmark legislation, raising concerns about California’s plastic pollution commitments
Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a deadline to act on the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54), but instead stymied it and told regulators to start over. SB 54 is a landmark law that would ban foam packaging, limit the amount of single-use plastics sold and distributed in the state, require more recyclable and compostable products, require polluters to pay for waste treatment and help support transition to reuse. Gov. Newsom signed the law in 2022. The Los Angeles Times reported last month that concerns about the governor’s commitment to the regulation began in December when the Circular Action Alliance — an industry coalition which includes Amazon, Coca-Cola and Target — worked to undermine the regulation.
Read the blogIN THE NEWS
Pacific Environment experts weigh in on the future of clean ports
Fern Uennatornwaranggoon discusses the future of port pollution cleanups under the Trump administration, plus Jayne Stevenson urges Washington legislators to lead on maritime decarbonization
A new article by the Associated Press investigates the future of cleaner ports under the Trump administration, highlighting the Port of Los Angeles, notorious for causing the dirtiest air in the country. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — a landmark climate law — championed by former President Joe Biden provided much-needed funding to clean up port activities, but residents impacted by port pollution and environmental organizations are now concerned that progress might be reversed under the new administration. Fern Uennatornwaranggoon, Pacific Environment’s climate campaign director for ports, discusses why tracking progress (and backsliding) will be difficult.
Additionally, Jayne Stevenson, state climate policy manager for Pacific Environment, penned an op-ed for the Seattle Times breaking down common misperceptions of shore power. In the piece, Jayne calls on Washington state legislators to lead the way in transitioning ships to zero emissions and accelerate our commitment to environmental justice by reducing emissions at ports. This will help Washington protect workers and communities from port pollution while leading the maritime clean energy revolution.
Read moreSTAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pacific Environment welcomes Davina Hurt as California climate policy director
New leadership strengthens advocacy for clean shipping and port decarbonization in the Golden State
Pacific Environment is excited to welcome Davina Hurt as our new California climate policy director. With a distinguished background in environmental policy, law and public service — including her tenure as a board member of the California Air Resources Board — Davina brings deep expertise in transportation, energy and environmental justice. She will lead efforts to advance zero-emission shipping and port technologies, helping to reduce pollution and create green jobs across California.
We’re also thrilled to welcome two new members to our Advancement team:
- Eileen Harris, Senior Advancement Manager, Foundations
- Kat Wozniak, Senior Advancement Manager, Individual Giving
Join us in celebrating these new additions to our team!
Learn moreDONATE TODAY
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