NEWS & ACTUALITYPlease scroll down |
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. . . BREAKING NEWS
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The most polluted city in South Africa is not where you expect
The World Health Organization has released its 2016 update to the Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database, revealing which regions in the world have dirtiest air. The database covers over 3,000 cities across the world, measuring fine particle matter (both PM2.5 and PM10 microns) in micrograms per cubic meter (mg/m3). PM2.5 measurements can directly be linked to estimates of health risks, the WHO said, as the particles are so fine they can travel deep into lungs and cause a variety of ailments. The WHO’s Air Quality guideline recommends a PM10 maximum annual mean level of 20 mg/m. According to the body’s latest update, more than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed this limit. The global health body said the aim of the database is not necessarily to rank cities or countries, but to rather reflect the monitoring efforts undertaken in those countries. However, the findings give a clear indication of where the world’s worst air pollution problems persist. By far and large, Indian cities dominate the top ranks in the database, with a large amount of urban areas and heavy industrialisation. Other countries which feature with high rates of air pollution include Saudi Arabia, China, Pakistan and Iran. Iranian city, Zabol, was top-ranked, with a P2.5 rate of 217 mg/m3. In terms of African cities, Kampala (Uganda) and Kaduna (Nigeria) were among the top 50 most polluted cities. South Africa’s air pollutionIn South Africa, the number of regions that track air pollution have increased and been added to the database. In 2013, Joburg, being the most populated urban region in the country was unsurprisingly ranked as having the most polluted air. However, in the 2016 update, a new addition has overtaken Joburg’s economic capital to claim the top spot: Hartebeespoort. Haretbeespoort is not an obvious candidate for ‘worst air pollution in South Africa’, though the region’s air quality problems have been raised several times over the past decade. The region’s air quality is adversely affected by its proximately to Tshwane and Johannesburg (both remain high on the list – with Tshwane now second in South Africa, ahead of Joburg), as well as mining operations in area. Overall, it was ranked as the 162nd most air-polluted area in the world, with a PM2.5 rate of 60 mg/m3. Mining operations are one of the biggest reasons for many smaller South African urban areas featuring in the database. |
These are South Africa’s most air-polluted regions
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. . . ARCHIVED NEWS
The Draft Regulations for Carbon Reporting:
On the 08th of January 2016, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, published the Declaration of Greenhouse Gases as Priority Air Pollutants (GG 39578, Notice 6, 08 January 2016); as well as the National Pollution Prevention Plans Regulations (GG 39578, Notice 5, 08 January 2016). The draft regulations declare the subsequent six greenhouse gases as priority air pollutants: Carbon dioxide (CO2); Methane (CH4); Nitrous oxide (N2O); Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). The regulations further stipulate that the following entities will be required to submit Pollution Prevention Plans:
Companies that are liable to submit Pollution Prevention Plans must comply within three months after the promulgation of the regulations. Companies are further required to submit an annual progress report by 31 March, for the preceding calendar year. |
The Draft Carbon Tax Bill
The Draft Carbon Tax Bill was introduced in the National Assembly on 02 November 2015. The draft bill currently proposes, as the start date, 01 January 2017. The tax will be phased in over a period of time to allow for smooth transition in adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies. The first phase will run from implementation up to 2020. The proposed tax rate is R120 per tonne of CO2e and will remain fixed during the first phase. The tax base comprises emissions from fossil fuel combustion, emissions from industrial processes, product use and fugitive emissions. During the first phase a basic percentage based threshold of 60% will apply below which tax is not payable. Additional tax-free allowances will further apply to particular sectors. The carbon tax will be administered by the South African Revenue Service. |
Emission Standards for Small-scale Char and Charcoal Plants:
On the 18 September 2015, the Department of Environmental Affairs published a notice declaring smallscale char and charcoal plants (not exceeding 20 tons of charcoal per month) controlled emitters in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, No 39 of 2004. The notice establishes emission standards for small-scale char and charcoal plants in terms of the act. Existing and new small-scale char and charcoal plants will be regulated differently. Existing plants are defined as those that were legally authorised to operate as at 01 April 2010 or for which an application for an environmental authorisation had been submitted before this date. Immediate compliance for existing and new small-scale char and charcoal plants with separate emission standards is required, with the standards for existing plants being less onerous. By 1 April 2020, all existing plants must comply with the minimum emission standards for new plants. Operators of such plants are required to submit at least one emissions report per annum to an air quality officer in the prescribed format. The first emissions report must be submitted within 12 months of the notice. |
