Support CF 20-0584 and 20-0498 — Incentives to Work from Home

[also: CF 20-0498]

WRAC supports motions (City Council File: 20‐0584 and 20‐0498) introduced by Councilmember David Ryu/Koretz and O’Farrell/Martinez to create incentives for employees of businesses and for government officials and employees to work from home.

While remote work is not a panacea for the climate crisis, making the practice more widespread and available in Los Angeles could help to reduce commuter traffic, which would have the benefit of reducing vehicle air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Teleworking is just one of many tools in our toolbox that we must utilize to fight the climate crisis and create sustainable air quality improvements to our region.

By improving air quality, we also create healthier Angelenos. Air pollution is linked to a host of health problems and makes people more vulnerable to COVID‐19. A recent UCLA study found that approximately 14,000 premature deaths could be avoided annually if California decreases greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Underserved communities who suffer the most from air pollution would see disproportionately higher level of benefits from cleaner air, the study also found.

WRAC actively supports the City studying these issues further and exploring their timely implementation in the City of Los Angeles.