Helena Joyce
South Africa is one of the most developed economies in Africa, but it faces challenges such as inequality, depletion of resources, and pollution. Pollution has been a significant problem in the country for many years, with a recent analysis reporting that most South Africans breathe air that does not meet World Health Organization standards. The country's rapid urbanization, heavy reliance on coal-fired power generation, widespread use of cars, and deforestation have all contributed to high levels of air, water, and land pollution. While the South African government has made some efforts to address pollution, such as the Air Quality Act of 2004 and the Waste Act of 2008, many citizens believe that more needs to be done to protect the environment and reduce the health risks associated with pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citizens' perception of pollution as a problem | 70% say the government should do more to reduce pollution, 57% say it should do "much more" |
| Citizens' perception of the government's role in environmental protection | 49% want the government to prioritise jobs and incomes, 32% want to prioritise environmental protection |
| Citizens' perception of the government's role in regulating natural resource extraction | 61% want the government to regulate the industry more tightly to reduce its negative impact on the environment |
| Citizens' rating of environmental issues | Trash disposal is the most important environmental issue |
| Air pollution | Second biggest threat to health in South Africa, causing 25,800 deaths in 2019 |
| Water pollution | 60% of water is situated in only 20% of the land, less than 10% of surface water is accessible |
| Solid waste pollution | Over half of the population lacks "adequate" solid waste treatment, waste is often dumped, buried, or burned |
| Deforestation | South Africa has lost more than 50% of its forests |
| Energy sources | 77% of energy produced is through coal |
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Air pollution
The use of coal for energy generation is a major source of air pollution in South Africa. The country's heavy reliance on coal-fired power generation produces pollutants linked to health issues such as asthma, cancer, and lung ailments. A 2019 government study found that thousands of lives could be saved in Mpumalanga if national air quality standards were met. Eskom's coal-fired stations have also been linked to health problems and poor air quality.
The impact of air pollution on health is significant. In 2021, air pollution was the cause of 3,365 deaths of children under five years of age in South Africa. Overall, more than 34,000 deaths were linked to air pollution-related causes across all ages in the country during that year. The health effects of exposure to air pollution include premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, and lung diseases, which can be particularly dangerous for newborns and young children. Fine particles in the air, PM2.5-related air pollution, contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming.
There have been efforts to address air pollution in South Africa. The Clean Air Fund has been working with the government, civil society organizations, and academic institutions since 2023 to tackle the root causes of air pollution. The South African Medical Research Council is generating localized evidence to understand the impact of air pollution on health, and the University of Pretoria and Zabcor are deploying low-cost sensors to inform government action. Johannesburg is one of 14 cities in the Breathe Cities initiative, and the city could save $640 million (R12 billion) by implementing clean air measures from 2023-2040. Additionally, the South African High Court recognized in 2022 that the poor air quality in the Highveld Priority Area breaches citizens' constitutional right to a healthy environment.
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Water pollution
South Africa has been facing environmental issues, including pollution, for many years. Water pollution in the country is a significant concern, threatening both human health and the environment.
One major cause of water pollution in South Africa is the import of plastic waste from other countries, particularly those in the Global North. Thousands of tons of plastic waste are shipped to South Africa annually, and much of this ends up in fragile river and dam ecosystems, causing water pollution. This plastic pollution not only affects South Africa's water systems but also contributes to flooding in other African countries, such as Cameroon, where it blocks drainage systems during the rainy season.
Agricultural practices also play a role in water pollution in South Africa. The intensive use of agrochemicals, such as pesticides and synthetic, nitrogen-rich fertilisers, has led to the contamination of rivers, streams, and water tables. Dairy farming, in particular, has been identified as a significant contributor to water pollution due to the release of excessive nitrogen into water sources.
Mining activities, such as hydraulic fracturing or fracking, are another major cause of water pollution in South Africa. The process involves pumping water mixed with chemical pollutants, sand, and other substances under high pressure into underground wells to extract oil and gas for energy. This wastewater often leaks from storage tanks, polluting groundwater and making it unfit for human consumption. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from coal mines, such as the one in Witbank, also contributes to water pollution in the country.
Water scarcity is another critical issue in South Africa, driven by both physical and economic factors. The country experiences irregular precipitation and recurrent droughts, impacting water availability. Additionally, the major increase in pollutant fluxes into river systems due to urbanisation, deforestation, wetland destruction, industry, mining, agriculture, and energy use exacerbates water scarcity. Economic water scarcity arises from a lack of investment in infrastructure or technology to access water sources, particularly in rural areas, which has been attributed in part to the country's history of apartheid geospatial planning.
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Energy sources
South Africa is facing a severe energy crisis, with frequent and extended blackouts that can last up to 10 hours a day or even longer. The country's energy crisis has far-reaching implications for its economy, social welfare, and overall development. South Africa's energy sector is heavily reliant on coal, which has been the dominant source of energy for decades, accounting for up to 87% of electricity generation. While coal plays a crucial role in meeting the country's energy demands, it has also contributed to the nation's air pollution crisis.
The use of coal for energy generation is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, driving global warming and climate change. South Africa is ranked 12th in the world for greenhouse gas emissions and is the largest emitter of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and a significant emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the continent. The country's coal-fired power plants are responsible for some of the world's largest single-source nitrogen dioxide emission sites, further exacerbating air pollution.
To address the energy crisis and reduce air pollution, South Africa needs to diversify its energy mix and reduce its reliance on coal. The country has significant renewable energy potential, particularly in solar and wind resources. However, insufficient investment in infrastructure has hindered the integration of renewable energy sources. Initiatives such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) have been implemented to attract private investment in renewable energy projects and increase the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix.
Additionally, enhancing public transport infrastructure, implementing green building standards, and creating urban green spaces can help mitigate pollution and its effects. Strengthening regulations under the Air Quality Act of 2004 and promoting cleaner industrial practices are also crucial for achieving long-term improvements in air quality.
Furthermore, addressing the energy crisis in South Africa requires resolving the issues with Eskom, the government-owned national power utility. Eskom has been plagued by allegations of corruption and state capture, which have affected its ability to deliver consistent and reliable electricity. The utility has accumulated massive debt, limiting its capacity to invest in infrastructure upgrades and modernisation, further straining its operations and exacerbating the energy crisis.
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Waste treatment
South Africa's waste management systems face several challenges due to the country's growing population and economy, which have led to increased waste generation. The country generates over 50 million tonnes of general waste annually, with only about a third being recycled, and the rest disposed of in landfill sites, dumpsites, and the environment. The open burning of waste is also a common practice in South Africa, causing health and environmental issues.
The waste management sector in South Africa comprises municipal service providers, private companies, and informal waste collectors, often working as cooperatives. However, access to finance is limited for these informal collectors, and their contributions are often not recognised.
The National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) was developed to address these issues, with the revised 2020 strategy gazetted for implementation in 2021. The strategy includes themes such as waste minimisation, with specific targets for diverting waste from landfills over five, ten, and fifteen-year periods, aiming for zero waste to landfills. The strategy also incorporates a waste management hierarchy and circular economy principles.
To divert waste from landfills, South Africa aims to build a secondary resources economy, valorising waste as part of the circular economy. The country's first Circular Economy Network initiative was launched in Johannesburg in 2020. Additionally, WasteAid, an organisation present in South Africa since 2020, is working with a rural municipality to trial different approaches to plastic waste collection, with the findings to be shared with the government and industry.
South Africa's waste management challenges are not limited to urban areas; rural communities also struggle with poor waste management due to their distance from treatment and disposal sites. Transport costs are often high, leading to waste remaining within the community, where open dumping and burning cause further issues.
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Government action
South Africa's government has implemented various measures to address the country's long-standing pollution problem, which has resulted in severe environmental damage and health issues for its citizens. Here is a detailed look at some of the government actions:
The Carbon Tax Act
The South African government introduced a carbon tax in 2019 through the Carbon Tax Act No 15 of 2019. This environmental tax is imposed on companies that burn carbon-based fuels, including coal, oil, gasoline, and natural gas. The primary objective of this tax is to incentivize major carbon emitters to transition to renewable energy technologies and reduce their carbon-intensive operations. The tax is assessed per ton of greenhouse gas pollution, with the revenue generated being used by the government for targeted spending or general usage. However, critics argue that the current levy is too low to effectively reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
Air Quality Act and Waste Act
The South African government has also passed the Air Quality Act in 2004 and the Waste Act in 2008 to address pollution concerns. These acts aim to improve air quality and manage waste disposal, which is considered the most important environmental issue by South African citizens.
Collaboration with Organisations
The government has collaborated with various organisations to tackle pollution. For example, the Clean Air Fund is working with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to improve air quality management across the country. Additionally, the University of Pretoria and Zabcor are deploying low-cost sensors to inform government action on air pollution.
Constitutional Rights and Court Judgements
Section 24 of the South African Constitution provides citizens with the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. This has been upheld by court judgements, such as the 2022 South African High Court decision recognising that poor air quality in the Highveld Priority Area breaches citizens' constitutional rights.
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act seeks to promote equitable access to mineral resources and ensure that companies with mining rights contribute to the communities in which they operate. However, critics argue that the law does not fully protect communities from the environmental impacts of mining.
While the South African government has taken some steps to address pollution, many citizens feel that more needs to be done. Environmental activists have been calling for action on polluted rivers, and Greenpeace has advocated for a shift away from coal-fired power facilities and towards renewable energy sources.
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