South Africa currently has three (3) areas declared as national priority areas in terms of section 18(1) of the National Environmental Management (NEM: Air Quality Act 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) (AQA); namely, the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area (VTAPA), the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) and the Waterberg Bojanala Priority Area (WBPA). Following the declaration of each priority area, Air Quality Management Plans (AQMPs) were developed and are currently being reviewed.

Each year the department holds the Priority Area Authorities’ Summit for air quality officials from the three spheres of government to provide a platform for intergovernmental coordination and cooperation with respect to air quality management in priority areas. The Summit also gives the air quality officials an opportunity to share experiences best practices and mechanisms to address challenges faced by government in implementing priority area air quality management plans.

Furthermore, the summit will include a segment of civil society stakeholder engagement. Stakeholder engagement in air pollution priority areas is crucial discussing the implementation of effective and sustainable solutions to reduce pollution and protect public health. Involving key stakeholders such as civil society ensures that diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources in problem identification and solution formulation and implementation through tools such as air quality management plans (AQMPs). Collaboration with civil society also fosters transparency, trust, and shared responsibility, leading to policies and interventions that are practical, enforceable, and widely accepted. Engaging affected communities also empowers them to voice concerns, contribute local knowledge, and advocate for cleaner air, ultimately leading to more equitable and impactful environmental management strategies.

Air quality management orientation and capacitation to principals to facilitate the prioritization of the air quality function in governance and decision making and unlocking support for capacity augmentation interventions for the air quality function.

Emission reduction strategies
Reflection and review of the capacity and capability of the regulatory framework for air quality management to facilitate emission reduction (AELs, postponements, adherence to licence conditions as well as compliance and enforcement)

Benchmarking and sharing of experience on successful and impactful pollution reduction approached implemented by licensing authorities, inclusive of awareness initiatives.

Engaging and workshopping of civil society on the awareness and outreach initiatives as well as the planning and compliance implementation pathway triggered by regulatory developments.