The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa published for public comment under sections 57 and 7 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004), the proposed amendments to the 2007 National Framework for Air Quality Management in South Africa, in Gazette No 36161 of 15 February 2013.
This first National Framework for Air Quality Management was published and implemented in 2007 with the view that after a period of five years, it will be revised and an amended or new National Framework will be published. As such, the process of reviewing and revising the 2007 National Framework was initiated in January 2012.
The purpose of the National Framework is to achieve the objectives of the Air Quality Act (AQA) which are to protect and enhance the quality of air in the country, prevent air pollution and ecological degradation and secure ecologically sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social development. The AQA also gives effect to Section 24(b) of the Constitution, in order to enhance the quality of ambient air for the sake of securing an environment that is not harmful to the health and well-being of people.
The National Framework is regarded as a milestone in government’s attempts to introduce a new efficient and effective air quality management regime in South Africa. During the five year period of the implementation of the 2007 National Framework, there have been major achievements in air quality management. To mention a few, air quality that is not harmful to health and well-being has been defined through the establishment of ambient air quality standards, three national priority areas have been declared (Vaal Triangle Airshed, Highveld and Waterberg-Bojanala) with plans to improve and maintain good air quality in these areas underway, and the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) continues to provide access to national air quality information.
The National Framework therefore provides a medium to long-term plan for the practical implementation of the AQA. It provides mechanisms, systems and procedures to promote holistic and integrated air quality management through pollution prevention and minimisation at source.
The review of the 2007 National Framework took the form of an inclusive consultation process involving various consultations with air quality specialists, air quality officials, stakeholders and the general public.
Based on relevance and legal considerations, the recommendations received from all consultations were reviewed and incorporated into the draft National Framework published for public comment.
The draft 2012 National Framework therefore includes all beneficial aspects and lessons learned during the implementation of the 2007 National Framework, all recommendations generated over the previous five years through the annual National Air Quality Officer’s reports and all inputs and recommendations from stakeholder consultations.
The process of implementing the National Framework requires a set of tools. These include the Air Quality Information System, Problem Identification and Prioritisation, Strategy Development, Impact Management, Authorisations, Compliance, Monitoring, Enforcement and various Cross-cutting principles.
With regard to the Air Quality Information System, informed decision making is fundamental to good governance and decisions can only be informed if decision-shapers and decision-makers have ready access to accurate, relevant, current and complete information. Information carried in this system includes ambient air quality information, emission inventories, air quality management plans and air quality publications.
The Strategy Development tool provides details on the mechanisms and norms and standards to address the air quality issues that have been identified and prioritised. This includes raising awareness on air quality management through public seminars and workshops, distributing informational material and various media campaigns among others.
Interested and affected parties are invited to submit written comments to the Minister within 60 days of publication of the notice in the Gazette. Comments received after 60 days may not be considered.
Written comments or inputs can be delivered by hand, mail, email or telefax transmission:
By post to: The Director-General: Department of Environmental Affairs
Attention: Mr Avhantodi Munyai
Private Bag X 447
Pretoria
0001
By hand: 2nd Floor (Reception), Fedsure Forum Building, 315 Pretorius Street, Pretoria
By email: amunyai@environment.gov.za
By fax: 012 320 0488
To access the gazette, click on the link below: http://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/gazetted_notices/nema_national_framework_aqm_gn115.pdf
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Roopa Singh
Cell: 082 225 3076
