2014-05-30-fa6-proposed-amendment-to-national-framework-7035f381e26f45b0.pdf

The 2012 National Framework for Air Quality Management in the Republic of South Africa is a strategic plan designed to implement the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (AQA). It establishes a comprehensive governance cycle for air quality management, delineating roles across national, provincial, and municipal governments, and sets norms for ambient air quality standards, emission controls, and information management via the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS).

• The 2012 National Framework serves as a medium- to long-term implementation plan for the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (AQA), evolving from the inaugural 2007 framework to be more 'emphatic' based on implementation experience.
• The framework is based on a '3D governance model' that requires both vertical integration (between national, provincial, and local spheres of government) and horizontal integration (across different government departments and stakeholders).
• The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) acts as the national Lead Agent, with exclusive powers to establish the National Framework, designate a national air quality officer, and set national ambient air quality and emission standards.
• Metropolitan and District Municipalities are primarily responsible for implementing the atmospheric emission licensing system and acting as the licensing authority, unless these functions are delegated to a provincial organ of state.
• The South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS), managed by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), is the central tool for providing public access to air quality data, managing emission inventories, and maintaining a research reference database.
• The framework defines a tiered system for air quality areas (Classes 1-5) based on compliance with national ambient air quality standards, where 'Red Zones' (Class 5) must be immediately declared national or provincial priority areas.
• Three national priority areas have been declared: the Vaal Triangle Airshed (2006), Highveld (2008), and Waterberg (2012).
• Emission standards for 'Listed Activities' are determined using the Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) principle, which is informed by the Best Available Technology/Technique (BAT) approach.
• The framework identifies 'Controlled Emitters' (small-scale emitters like small boilers) and 'Controlled Fuels' (alternative fuels like tyres or spent pot linings) as specific regulatory tools to manage widespread pollution.
• South Africa's air quality obligations are linked to international agreements, including the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol for greenhouse gases, the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol for ozone depletion, and the Stockholm Convention for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
• The framework mandates a review process every five years, utilizing the National Air Quality Officer's (NAQO) Annual Report and an independent external review to inform the next generation of the framework.
• Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs), known as 'Green Scorpions', are empowered to enforce the AQA, with penalties for offences potentially reaching a fine of R5 million or 5 years imprisonment.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). 2014-05-30-fa6-proposed-amendment-to-national-framework-7035f381e26f45b0.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA6-Proposed-Amendment-to-National-Framework.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. 2014-05-30-fa6-proposed-amendment-to-national-framework-7035f381e26f45b0.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA6-Proposed-Amendment-to-National-Framework.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=2014-05-30-fa6-proposed-amendment-to-national-framework-7035f381e26f45b0.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA6-Proposed-Amendment-to-National-Framework.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnd20140530fa6proposedamendmenttonationalframework7035f381e26f45b0pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{2014-05-30-fa6-proposed-amendment-to-national-framework-7035f381e26f45b0.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-05-30-FA6-Proposed-Amendment-to-National-Framework.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }