These Regulations, consisting of 13 articles, aim to provide for the implementation and enforcement of a priority area air quality management plan. Key requirements include (i) all priority area air quality management plans must now include measurable targets for reducing emissions. If a plan is already in place, it has to be reviewed within two years to add these essential targets; (ii) specific identified stakeholders are required to submit an emission reduction and management plan. They'll need to send this plan to their relevant licensing authority or air quality officer for approval, or, in some cases, directly to the Minister; (iii) these submitted plans need to clearly outline the specific measures that will be taken, the emission reduction targets (which must align with the broader priority area plan), and the timeframes for putting these reductions into effect. Any other necessary elements must also be included. Once an emission reduction and management plan gets the green light, it becomes a crucial part of the relevant atmospheric emission license. This means the stakeholder is then obligated to implement that plan within the specified timeframes.
South Africa · 2024-01-01