Abstract
Air quality management in South Africa has undergone drastic changes since the implementation of the National Environmental: Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004). The new Act shifts the emphasis fiom point-source control to proactively protecting the receiving environment. In keeping with the new approach, it is a legal requirement that Municipalities must compile and implement air quality management plans (AQMPs) as part of their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs). Although an explicit requirement of the Act, no clear guidelines exist for regulating bodies, includmg Municipalities, regarding the contents of such plans. The main findings of the study revealed a lack of air quality management infrastructure and a shortage of experienced, qualified staff to develop,implement and maintain air quality management plans. Financial constraints were also identified as a big concern to manage air quality. Although it is an explicit requirement by the Act, very few municipalities have approved AQMPs, nor appointed air quality officers. A generic air quality management plan framework (AQMPF) for all tiers of govenunent was developed to assist regulating authorities when compiling air quality managementplans. Although generic, this AQMPF was found to be applicable to Municipalities as well. Due to the fact that a lack of training has been identified as a critical gap in the successful implementation and maintenance of an AQMP, this study makes a significant contribution to the identification of generic training outcomes
Highlights
Air qualityproblems have been an inescapablepartn a of global economicdevelopmentand suchproblems have prevailed since the industrial age
As the impact of air pollution is increased by the availability of technology, the interaction between these issues is dynamic
A literature survey on the status quo ofAQMPs in five countries around the world was conducted to provide the basis for the compilation of the questionnaires used in a national survey
Summary
Air qualityproblems have been an inescapablepartn a of global economicdevelopmentand suchproblems have prevailed since the industrial age. As the impact of air pollution is increased by the availability of technology, the interaction between these issues is dynamic. Political and economic responses to air pollution have often lagged behind. Public awareness, understanding of the impact of air pollution and the public's willingness to accept a particular level of pollution has changed over time. The ability and willingness of political institutions to addressairpollutionvaries dependingon the level of public concern, the economic costs of change, the impacts of air pollution and the availability of technological solutions (Longhurst et al 2004:1). According to Longhurst et al (1996:3975), economic, political, social and technological actions and reactions were traditionally considered to reduce levels of pollution, whilst minimising the adverse consequences of control on business and society at large. The reaction has not always been appropriate or timely, in the case of air pollution in urban areas where a city's form and fimctional topographypredisposeit to air pollution
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