The 17th Annual National Air Quality Governance Lekgotla recently took place in Polokwane, Limpopo, signaling the importance of partnerships, investment, and shared responsibility in improving air quality in South Africa. The event intended not only to commemorate the country’s achievements but also to emphasize the critical work ahead.
Aligned with the United Nations International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, celebrated every September 7th, both events highlight the need for global collaboration to combat air pollution challenges.
Current Air Quality Challenges in South Africa
Despite recent efforts, South Africa’s air quality monitoring network reveals that the country has yet to comply with national ambient air quality standards. Critical pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and ozone remain major concerns, particularly in metropolitan municipalities and air quality priority areas.
Air pollution contributors include large-scale industrial activities, power stations, vehicles, waste burning, and open veld burning. Moreover, recent load shedding has increased the country’s dependence on alternative energy sources that pose health hazards to individuals and exacerbate the decline in air quality.
Progress and Challenges
South Africa has made significant strides since the promulgation of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act. The country has facilitated the constitutional right to an environment that promotes sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth while safeguarding its citizens’ health and well-being.
Collaborative governance, strong laws, and innovative air pollution management tools have contributed to this progress. However, proactive enforcement is crucial to reducing harmful air pollution levels and securing a safe and healthy environment.
Building on Environmental Management Efforts
Acknowledging the varying effectiveness of municipalities in environmental management, the Department and South African Local Government Association (SALGA) held the 2nd Environmental Indaba in March this year. The event aimed to address key challenges in environmental management, particularly air quality management.
During the Lekgotla, discussions should build on the Environmental Indaba’s groundwork. Efforts should concentrate on establishing mechanisms to support municipalities in developing and implementing air quality management programs, prioritizing resources, and allocating air quality functions.
Promoting Environmental Education
The Lekgotla launched a National Air Quality Outreach Program, a partnership between the Department, Limpopo province, and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The program invited 50 school learners and 30 university students to learn about air pollution issues and promote environmental management as a viable career choice.
Tackling Infrastructure and Licensing Issues
Air quality monitoring stations face increasing pressure due to rising operational and maintenance costs and aging infrastructure. The Department has sought new ways to meet monitoring objectives through SAWS support. The collaboration aims to build sustainable technical capacity within the government.
Efforts to manage atmospheric emission licenses have yielded improvements, achieving an efficiency of 88% in processing licenses in the last financial year compared to 63% in the previous year. Priority area regulations are being developed to implement and enforce Priority Area Air Quality Management Plans, expected to intensify accountability and shared responsibility in improving air quality.
The Lekgotla’s theme, “Scalable Emission Reductions by 2030,” must align with South Africa’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Eleven. The goal aims to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals, air, water, soil pollution, and contamination by 2030. It is crucial to reflect this commitment in future strategic planning and support the country’s goal of safeguarding the health and well-being of all citizens through a clean and healthy environment.
