Integrating Climate Change Considerations into the Air Quality Management Plan of eThekwini Municipality, South Africa

Abstract:

The eThekwini Municipality is located on the eastern seaboard of South Africa and has one of the country’s busiest ports, with the economy strongly driven by manufacturing industries. The municipality is recognised as being progressive in dealing with its air quality (AQ) issues and is regarded as an inspirational example to other municipalities due to its success in reducing sulphur dioxide levels through a process of multi-stakeholder engagement. The municipality has recently developed an air quality management (AQM) plan prioritizing AQ intervention strategies for industries, transportation and the indoor combustion of fossil fuels. In addition to tackling air pollution issues, the municipality has a strong commitment toward addressing climate change and is taking steps to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the municipality has been dealing with the issues of climate change and AQ separately, resulting in no consideration being given to the effects of the prescribed AQM interventions on GHG emissions. An investigation into the impact of the AQ control strategies on GHG emissions is thus being undertaken to enable eThekwini decision-makers and stakeholders to select and implement cost-effective air pollution control measures that will simultaneously contribute toward the municipality reducing its GHG emissions. Asian cities that share similar economic growth and air pollution challenges as that of eThekwini, will find it beneficial to consider information on the process of incorporating climate change considerations into the municipality’s AQM plan. This will be of particular relevance to those Asian cities that are experiencing barriers to realizing integrative AQM policies, by highlighting the opportunities for, and advantages of harvesting the synergies between AQM procedures and GHG mitigation.