DRAFT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN DENSE LOW-INCOME SETTLEMENTS

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is calling on the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to formally publish the draft Strategy to Address Air Pollution in Dense Low-Income Settlements for public comment by 30 April 2015. The CER argues that residents in low-income settlements suffer disproportionate exposure to poor air quality from industrial sources and domestic fuel burning, leading to severe respiratory and cardio-vascular illnesses, particularly in children and the elderly. The document highlights that the strategy was a deliverable as far back as 2010 and is essential for local governments, such as the Nkangala District Municipality, to meet air quality compliance goals by 2020. The CER asserts that the state's failure to address these health risks violates constitutional rights to an environment not harmful to health and the progressive realisation of adequate housing.

• The draft Strategy to Address Air Pollution in Dense Low-Income Settlements aims to coordinate efforts to ensure ambient air quality in these areas complies with National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect the constitutional right to air that is not harmful to health.
• Air pollution in low-income settlements is caused by proximity to industrial emission sources and mines, as well as the domestic burning of coal, gasoline, and other fuels due to poor house insulation and lack of affordable electricity or heating.
• Poor air quality in these settlements causes devastating health impacts, specifically respiratory and cardio-vascular illnesses, with children and the elderly being the most susceptible.
• Indoor air pollution from household fuel use has had a severe impact on child mortality in South Africa, with one estimate suggesting up to 1,400 child deaths per year due to Acute Lower Respiratory Infections.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2015). DRAFT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN DENSE LOW-INCOME SETTLEMENTS. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CER-to-DEA-Director-General-Domestic-Coal-Burning-7-April-2015.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. DRAFT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN DENSE LOW-INCOME SETTLEMENTS. 2015. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CER-to-DEA-Director-General-Domestic-Coal-Burning-7-April-2015.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=DRAFT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN DENSE LOW-INCOME SETTLEMENTS |date=7 April 2015 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CER-to-DEA-Director-General-Domestic-Coal-Burning-7-April-2015.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2015draft, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{DRAFT STRATEGY TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN DENSE LOW-INCOME SETTLEMENTS}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2015}, month = apr, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CER-to-DEA-Director-General-Domestic-Coal-Burning-7-April-2015.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }