The Free State MEC for Economic Small Business Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sam Mashinini, on Wednesday, 30 September 2015, launched the South African Atmospheric Emission Licensing and Inventory Portal (SAAELIP).
The portal is comprised of the System for National Atmospheric Emission Licensing (SNAEL) and the National Atmospheric Emission Inventory System (NAEIS). These systems are aimed at propelling transparent air quality governance and improved service delivery. The new instrument will be launched in addition to the existing 102 government-owned monitoring stations.
Also present at the launch were Department of Environmental Affairs Deputy Director-General for Climate Change and Air Quality, Ms Judy Beaumont, National Air Quality Officer, Dr Thulie Mdluli, amongst other key roleplayers in the sector.
The South African Atmospheric Emission Licensing & Inventory Portal (SAAELIP) is an online portal that will revolutionise air quality management in the country for both the regulator and the regulated community. Licensing and reporting of emissions will be done online.
The systems are a part of Government’s objectives outlined in the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, and further the Department’s goal of putting into place systems and tools for effective and efficient air quality management.
The portal will allow Licensing Authorities across all spheres of government to process, issue and manage Atmospheric Emission Licenses online and manage online submissions of emission reports and emission inventories, and compile local, provincial and national emissions profiles of significant pollutants from all sectors.
The regulated community will through the portal, be able to submit applications for Atmospheric Emission Licenses online; track the status of their applications and submit compliance and inventory reports.
Members of the public will be able to search for facilities issued with Atmospheric Emission Licenses, as well as those whose licenses are being considered. The public will also be able to access the National Emission Inventory System and download the latest National Emission Inventory Summary Report.
While monitoring stations report to the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) members of the public are able to see for themselves how the quality of the air is in the areas where they live.
The launch followed the 10th Annual Air Quality Governance Lekgotla that took place on Monday and Tuesday at the President Hotel in Bloemfontein.
The theme of the 2015 Air Quality Governance Lekgotla was“Launching Air Quality Management Systems for Transparent Governance and Improved Service Delivery”. The event attracted officials from all spheres of government and focused on, amongst others, the development and implementation of Air Quality Management Plans, and the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring programmes.
Since the promulgation of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39) of 2004 (AQA), government has developed several regulatory tools and interventions to manage air quality in South Africa. The need to improve service delivery has led to the development of web-based systems which are intended to improve transparent air quality governance.
SAAELIP can be accessed by visiting: https://saaelip.environment.gov.za/SAAELIP/home/
For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
