GREENHOUSE GASES NOW PRIORITY AIR POLLUTANTS
Title: Declaration of Greenhouse Gases as Priority Air Pollutants
Government Gazette Notice: GN 710 in GG 40996 of 21 July 2017
Commencing Date: 21 July 2017
The Minister of Environmental Affairs declared specific greenhouse gases as priority air pollutants as specified in the notice. The following greenhouse gases have been declared priority air pollutants:
(a) Carbon dioxide (CO2);
(b) Methane (CH4);
(c) Nitrous oxide (N20);
(d) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);
(e) Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and
(f) Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
A person/ organisation conducting a production process set out in Annexure A to this Notice which involves emission of greenhouse gases in excess of 0.1 Megatonnes (Mt) annually, reported as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2), and/or if so directed by the Minister, is required to submit a pollution prevention plan to the Minister for approval. Additional monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements are also imposed on these persons/ organisations.
Together with the above notice, another notice was published, containing the National Pollution Prevention Plan Regulations (GN 712 in GG 40996 of 21 July 2017). The purpose of these Regulations is to prescribe the requirements that pollution prevention plans of greenhouse gases declared as priority air pollutants need to comply with in terms of section 29(3) of the National Enviromental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 (NEMAQA). The following aspects are included in these Regulations (amongst others):
• Requirements for pollution prevention plans;
• Submission and approval of pollution prevention plans; and
• Submission and approval of annual progress reports.
So what for my operation?
If your organisation conducts a production process set out in Annexure A to GN 710 which involves emission of greenhouse gases in excess of 0.1 Megatonnes (Mt) annually, reported as carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2), and/or if your organisation is so directed by the Minister, a pollution prevention plan must be submitted to the Minister for approval, and compliance ensured to the additional monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements.
What is Shangoni’s approach?
Shangoni has an air quality department that consists of highly skilled and experienced environmental consultants who can assist you in determining whether you should adhere to these Regulations. Furthermore, Shangoni can assist you in compiling a pollution prevention plan and to adhere to the other legal requirements of these Regulations. For more information, contact the head of Shangoni’s Air Quality Department, Patricia van der Walt, at patricia@shangoni.co.za
