The MMC for Environmental Resource Management, Clr Ndosi Shongwe, has called on industries producing carbon emissions to adhere to strict environment laws.
By doing this, industries can assist the municipality with achieving cleaner air.
Speaking at a seminar in Germiston to discuss environmental legal compliance on May 11, the MMC said the City of Ekurhuleni is working hard to address the 2014 findings by the National Air Quality, which found that the city had the worst air pollution.
“The findings are an unwelcomed, poor image on our part and we need you as industries to join hands with us to significantly reduce carbon emissions. One of our priorities is to create a clean and green city, and the issue of gas emissions becomes critical,” said MMC Shongwe.
Mr Themba Gadebe, the Ekurhuleni spokesperson, said as part of its response strategy to ensuring cleaner air, Ekurhuleni has established a specialised unit.
“The legal compliance has been put in place to assist industries to obtain Atmospheric Emission Licenses and providing guidelines on how to comply with set emission limits.
“The specialised unit is also responsible for monitoring the industrial community through spot checks and ensuring compliance of the municipal bylaws,” said Mr Gadebe.
“Industries need to be mindful of the health risk of pollution to our people. On our part as the municipality, we have begun a process to green our municipal bylaws, which will see an amendment to some laws that govern harmful emissions. We believe this will ensure that all industrial and municipal activities comply with the standards and requirements of protecting and caring for the environment,” said MMC Shongwe.
