{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"climate_tags":["atmospheric emissions"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'atmospheric emissions' for facet 'climate_tags' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":8,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?climate_tags=atmospheric+emissions","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"cer-000546","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000546","title":"REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSION LICENCE PROCESSING FEE, 2016","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"guide","language":"en","date_published":"2016-03-11","source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Atmospheric-emission-licence-processing-fee.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Regulations Prescribing the Atmospheric Emission Licence Processing Fee, 2016, establish the mandatory fees for various types of atmospheric emission licence applications under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000546#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The regulations set specific processing fees for four types of atmospheric emission licence applications: new licences and reviews cost R10 000 per listed activity, renewals cost R5 000 per listed activity, and transfers cost R2 000.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000546#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Applicants are required to pay the prescribed processing fees either on or before the date they submit their application, or as directed by the licensing authority, and must provide proof of payment with the application form.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000546#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Processing fees are non-refundable in cases where an application is withdrawn or refused according to section 40(1)(b).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000546#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["air quality","environmental regulation","atmospheric emissions"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["Regulatory"]},{"id":"cer-000184","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000184","title":"2014-05-30-fa32-caia-submission-08-2009-580ce04bc7792f42.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA32-CAIA-Submission-08-2009.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Chemical and Allied Industries Association (CAIA) submitted this statement in August 2009 to express concerns regarding a draft Notice on atmospheric emission limits. CAIA argues that the proposed standards are overly stringent, lack a Regulatory Impact Assessment, and deviate from previous working documents. The association advocates for flexible compliance timeframes, the ability to apply for exemptions based on site-specific impact reports, and the adoption of realistic minimum emission standards that consider technical feasibility and overall environmental footprints.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"CAIA requests that the draft Notice undergo a Regulatory Impact Assessment before finalisation to evaluate the potential socio-economic consequences and alternatives to the proposed stringent emission limits.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The association argues that mandatory minimum performance levels should be based on risk management, proposing that applicants unable to meet timeframes be allowed to apply for extensions or exemptions via site-specific improvement plans and impact reports.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"CAIA identifies several factors that should influence the timeframes for meeting new plant standards, including the availability of technology, capital, skilled labour, engineering contractors, natural resources, and plot space, as well as product supply considerations during plant downtime.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"For the petroleum industry, CAIA proposes a new plant standard of 1.2 kg SO₂/ton crude to align South African refineries with EU refineries, noting that retrofitting existing facilities to Best Available Techniques (BAT) levels is not economically viable or technically possible.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"CAIA argues that flaring should be excluded from 'bubble' calculations for SO₂ and NOx emissions because direct measurement of flare gas composition is not possible and estimating efficiency is not a scientific approach for legislative requirements.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"For coal-to-liquids (CTL) facilities, CAIA opposes a Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) emission limit of 5mg/Nm³ for new facilities, stating that achieving this would require Selective Rectisol technology with capital costs exceeding R17 billion in 2013.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000184#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","atmospheric emissions","industrial pollution","regulatory compliance"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy critique","technical submission"]},{"id":"cer-000201","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000201","title":"2014-05-30-fa58-sapia-submission-23-12-2012-9221836ad499994f.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA58-SAPIA-submission-23-12-2012.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) submitted a set of comments and proposals to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on December 23, 2012, regarding the regulation of atmospheric emissions. The submission focuses on refining definitions, reporting requirements, compliance timeframes, and specific emission standards for combustion installations and petroleum product storage.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"SAPIA requests that the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) clarify the purpose and scope of its study regarding the practicality and implications for existing plants to move toward new plant standards, specifically whether the study will be used to reconsider requirements for existing plants or to inform the DEA on offsetting projects.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The industry expresses concern over 'reporting overload' due to multiple pieces of legislation and proposes that reporting timeframes be linked to the publication of a reporting template and the company's financial year-end, rather than a fixed one-year period.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"SAPIA proposes that the 'point of compliance' for combinations of off-gasses of the same subcategory sharing a common point source should be the common point source where reasonably practicable; for different subcategories, it should be any point from the last vessel closest to the point source up to the point prior to interference from another Listed Activity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"SAPIA argues that compliance for pollutants monitored continuously should be based on a monthly average of daily averages, with no more than two consecutive days exceeding requirements, to maintain operational flexibility.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Regarding combustion installations, SAPIA proposes that refinery boilers be regulated separately in Category 1 or moved to Category 2 because they use process off-gasses (refinery fuel gas) rather than natural gas, which varies in quality and composition.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"SAPIA proposes that the restriction on continuous flaring of hydrogen sulphide-rich gasses be qualified to apply only during 'normal operating conditions' to account for upsets, shutdowns, and start-up abnormalities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"For the storage of petroleum products, SAPIA suggests that Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs should only apply to products with a vapour pressure greater than 14 kPa, as products with lower volatility, such as lubricating and base oils, do not significantly impact air quality.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000201#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","atmospheric emissions","petroleum industry","regulatory compliance","air quality"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy submission","technical commentary"]},{"id":"cer-000207","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000207","title":"2014-05-30-fa7-sasol-letter-to-minister-9-12-2013-f3507cdc46a089fa.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA7-Sasol-letter-to-Minister-9-12-2013.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"A letter from Sasol Limited to the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs requesting urgent clarification on the commencement date of Government Notice 893 (GN893), published on 22 November 2013, regarding activities resulting in atmospheric emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000207#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Sasol Limited requested clarification from Minister B. E. Molewa regarding the commencement date of GN893, noting that while clause 22 mentions \"commencement\", no specific date is provided in the notice.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000207#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Sasol argues that if GN893 took effect on 22 November 2013, it would place some of the company's activities into immediate non-compliance without a transitional period, which Sasol claims is \"unreasonable and inconsistent\" with other environmental laws.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000207#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Sasol requested a response by 13 December 2013, citing the urgency of the matter and potential negative impacts on the company and \"South African liquid fue! security\".","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000207#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["atmospheric emissions","environmental legislation","compliance"],"geography_discussed":["Pretoria","Johannesburg","Rosebank"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["regulatory correspondence"]},{"id":"cer-000208","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000208","title":"2014-05-30-fa8-minister-letter-to-sasol-5-3-2014-82e8a82bfee0a3ec.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA8-Minister-letter-to-SASOL-5-3-2014.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags"],"summary":{"text":"A letter from the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs to SASOL Limited clarifying the commencement date and transitional arrangements for Government Notice (GN) 893 of 22 November 2012, which lists activities resulting in atmospheric emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000208#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs established that the commencement date for GN 893 is 22 November 2013, based on section 13 of The Interpretation Act (Act 33 of 1957), which dictates that legislation without a specific commencement date takes effect on its date of publication in the gazette.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000208#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Compliance timeframes for atmospheric emissions under GN 893 are divided by plant status: new plants were required to comply with minimum emission standards from 1 April 2010, while existing plants must comply with existing plant standards by 1 April 2015 and new plant standards by 1 April 2020, unless otherwise specified.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000208#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["atmospheric emissions","air quality management","emission standards"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":[]},{"id":"cer-000732","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000732","title":"cer-paia-10637-response-6-oct-17-2-cbd4f74e010f0e7d.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"statement","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/CER-PAIA-10637-response-6-oct-17-2.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This document is a formal response from Eskom to a request for information submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). The request, identified as PAIA QUERY 10637, concerns generation atmospheric emissions license compliance and decommissioning. Eskom agrees to provide access to several identified records but denies access to others or severs specific parts of records based on the Promotion of Information Act (Act 2 of 2000).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000732#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Eskom has responded to a request from the Centre for Environmental Rights dated 12 July 2017 regarding \"GENERATION ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS LICENSE COMPLIANCE AND DECOMMISSIONING\". While Eskom states it \"will provide access to the requested records\", it has also \"denied access to certain records and severed certain records\" as permitted under Chapter 4 of the Promotion of Information Act (Act 2 of 2000).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000732#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The document includes a table of records related to atmospheric emissions and decommissioning. Some records are provided in full, while others are partially redacted or denied. For example, records concerning the \"Atmospheric Emission License\" for various sites and reports on \"Environmental Management\" are mentioned, but some are subject to severances to protect \"commercial-in-confidence\" information or specific personal details.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000732#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["atmospheric emissions","decommissioning","environmental compliance"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["legal response","information request"]},{"id":"cer-000895","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000895","title":"emission-license-audit-report-aac87a93dd8b9966.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Emission-License-Audit-Report.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This audit report, dated 17 February 2016 and compiled by Leroy Construction and Projects for Eskom Komati Power Station, evaluates compliance with the station's Atmospheric Emissions License (AEL) issued under Section 43 of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act, 2004. The audit found a 91% compliance rate, with 41 of 45 conditions met, though it identified four specific areas of non-compliance.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000895#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The audit determined that Eskom Komati Power Station achieved a compliance index of 91%, meeting 41 out of 45 verified AEL conditions, which exceeds the 'acceptable compliance index' of 80%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000895#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The power station failed to meet the permitted fuel oil consumption limit in September and October 2015 due to burner design instability in combustion units 1-3. To address this, the Eskom Centre of Excellence was tasked with redesigning the Pulverised Fuel burners on these units by 30 December 2016.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000895#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The station is non-compliant regarding the installation of continuous emission monitoring equipment for PM, SO2, and NOx for all units. Currently, only one piece of equipment exists for the East Stack (units 1-5) and one for the West Stack (units 6-9).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000895#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The audit noted a delay in submitting the air quality offset implementation plan, originally due by 31 March 2016. Eskom's Centre of Excellence Air Quality Division proposed a new date of 30 April 2016 in a letter sent to the Licensing Authority on 10 February 2016.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000895#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["atmospheric emissions","air quality","compliance audit","power station"],"geography_discussed":["Holfontein"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["compliance audit"]},{"id":"cer-001293","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-001293","title":"record-13.2-pg-1-10-1ee4e46b62189b90.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Record-13.2-pg-1-10.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The Eskom Air Quality Strategy (April 2020) outlines a phased approach to reducing atmospheric emissions from its power stations to comply with South African legislation and maintain its licence to operate. The strategy focuses on particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and mercury, utilizing a combination of operational improvements, emission abatement retrofits, and air quality offsets.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Eskom's Air Quality Strategy aims to reduce particulate and gaseous emissions to minimize impacts on human health and the environment, maintain its legal licence to operate, and reduce financial and legal liabilities.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The strategy identifies four primary strategic initiatives: improving operational and maintenance practices, implementing an emission abatement retrofit programme for high-emitting stations, rolling out air quality offsets in low-income areas, and seeking legal leniency for Minimum Emission Standards (MES).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The emission abatement retrofit programme is projected to increase compliance with national emission standards from 59% to 76%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The implementation of Eskom's emission reduction plan involves significant resource requirements and environmental trade-offs, including a CAPEX cost of R118 billion (2015 nominal cost), an annual OPEX of approximately R2 billion, and a 7% increase in water consumption (23.4 million m3/annum).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"All of Eskom's coal-fired power stations are located in National Priority Areas—specifically the Waterberg, Vaal Triangle, and Highveld—where ambient air quality standards are often exceeded.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Current compliance status indicates that while all coal-fired stations have PM abatement technology, none have NOx or SO2 emission control, except for the Medupi and Kusile stations (once Medupi's FGD is retrofitted).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Eskom acknowledges that its emissions harm health and cause premature mortalities, and notes that NGOs have threatened to close power stations for non-compliance.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-001293#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["air quality","atmospheric emissions","coal-fired power stations","emission abatement","environmental compliance"],"geography_discussed":["Waterberg","Vaal Triangle","Highveld"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["strategy","compliance plan","impact assessment"]}]}