Request for comments on the 3rd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan - News | DEA&DP

Request for comments on the 3rd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan

14 December 2021

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning would like you to comment on the Draft 3rd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan by Friday, 21 January 2022.

Request for comments on the 3rd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan

Section 15 (1) of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) (NEM: AQA) requires Provinces and Municipalities to develop Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) to manage air quality in their regions. For it to be effective, the AQMP needs to be reviewed every 5 years to establish whether the identified goals and targets have been effectively implemented.

In accordance with the NEM: AQA requirements, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) adopted the 1st Generation Western Cape AQMP in 2010. The 2nd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan was built upon the strengths and successes of the 1st Generation Western Cape AQMP and was informed via formal Public Participation Process workshops during 2015 and Adopted in 2016.

This 3rd Generation AQMP focuses on strengthening the linkages between Air Quality Management and Climate Change Response, as well as spatial planning for growth and development in the Western Cape Province.

The 3rd Generation AQMP upholds the vision and the mission of the former AQMPs which are as follows:

Vision

“Clean and healthy air for all in the Western Cape”

Mission

“To ensure the effective and consistent implementation of sustainable air quality management practices, by all spheres of government, relevant stakeholders and civil society to progressively achieve and efficiently maintain clean and healthy air in the Western Cape”

Furthermore, the 3rd Generation AQMP has four goals that support this vision and mission.

The Goals of the 3rd Generation AQMP are:

Goal 1: Ensure effective and consistent air quality management, linked to Climate Change Response

Goal 2: Continually engage with stakeholders to raise awareness with respect to Air Quality Management and Climate Change Response

Goal 3: Ensure effective and consistent compliance monitoring and enforcement

Goal 4: Support Air Quality and Climate Change Response programmes, including promoting and facilitating the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions.

Click on the link below to access the 3rd Generation Western Cape AQMP:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/eadp/files/atoms/files/COMBINED%20CHAPTER...

If you have any queries and should you wish to engage with the DEA&DP through any other virtual means (e.g. via MS Teams), kindly contact: Sally Benson: Sally.Benson@westerncape.gov.za

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Review of 3rd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan

Section 15 (1) of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act 39 of 2004) (NEM: AQA) requires Provinces and Municipalities to develop Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) to manage air quality in their regions. For it to be effective, the AQMP needs to be reviewed every 5 years to establish whether the identified goals and targets have been effectively implemented.

In accordance with the NEM: AQA requirements, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) adopted the 1st Generation Western Cape AQMP in 2010. The 2nd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan was built upon the strengths and successes of the 1st Generation Western Cape AQMP and was informed via formal Public Participation Process workshops during 2015 and Adopted in 2016. The 2nd Generation AQMP mainly focused on strengthening the linkages between Air Quality Management and Climate Change Response, as well as spatial planning for growth and development in the Western Cape Province.

The 2nd Generation AQMP upholds the vision and the mission of the 1st AQMP which are as follows:

Vision

“Clean and healthy air for all in the Western Cape”

Mission

“To ensure the effective and consistent implementation of sustainable air quality management practices, by all spheres of government, relevant stakeholders and civil society to progressively achieve and efficiently maintain clean and healthy air in the Western Cape”

Furthermore, the 2nd Generation AQMP has four goals that support this vision and mission.

The Goals of the 2nd Generation AQMP are:

Goal 1: Ensure effective and consistent air quality management, linked to Climate Change Response

Goal 2: Continually engage with stakeholders to raise awareness with respect to Air Quality Management and Climate Change Response

Goal 3: Ensure effective and consistent compliance monitoring and enforcement

Goal 4: Support Air Quality and Climate Change Response programmes, including promoting and facilitating the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions.

Following 5 years of its implementation, the DEA&DP must embark on a review of the 2016 Western Cape AQMP to, amongst other:

  • assess progress made in air quality management in the Province;
  • establish whether the identified goals and targets have been effectively implemented;
  • establish whether the goals and targets were still valid in terms of new developments and economic growth in the Province; and
  • Identify potential air quality risks and interventions that can be translated into new goals and objectives, where required.

As a result of the COVID 19 travelling restrictions, it was decided to develop online questionnaires that will be sent out to all the Stakeholders to determine to access the AQMP progress and to identify potential air quality risks and interventions that can be translated into new AQMP goals and objectives.

Click on the link below to access and complete the questionnaire:

2nd Generation Western Cape Air Quality Management Plan Review

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=f790rsPPYEeh_gcxr6pVAnIuN7DJtD1MkU-u9V2qj_lUQ1lQWjg4RzZNWDNXWklTSTdINzVaODdLVi4u

If you have any queries and should you wish to engage with the DEA&DP through any other virtual means (e.g. via MS Teams, Skype, Zoom), kindly contact: Sally Benson: Sally.Benson@westerncape.gov.za