In recent years there has been considerable advancement in our scientific understanding of the linkages and interactions between climate
change and air quality. A warmer, evolving climate is likely to have severe consequences for air quality due to impacts on pollution
sources and meteorology. Climate-induced changes to sources of tropospheric ozone precursor gases and to atmospheric circulation are
likely to lead to changes in both the concentration and dispersion of near-surface ozone that could act to offset improvements
in air quality. The control of air pollutants through air quality management is also likely to impact on climate change, with reductions
in ozone, particulate matter and sulphur dioxide being of particular interest. The improved understanding of the relationship between air
quality and climate change provides a scientific basis for policy interventions. After a review of the scientific linkages, the potential
to include climate change considerations in air quality management planning processes in South Africa was examined.
Traditionally, climate change and air pollution have been managed separately and at different spatial scales. In recent years, the understanding
of the underlying science of air pollution and climate change has evolved, revealing that the relationship between these issues extends beyond a
commonality of sources of emissions, to include air quality management (AQM) impacts on climate change and climate change impacts on the
concentration and dispersion of air pollutants. In essence, AQM aims to bring about a reduction in air pollutants whose radiative properties
may directly influence the climate and those which impact on the lifetime and concentrations of other greenhouse gases. Furthermore, many of
the processes that play a role in the chemical composition of the atmosphere are subject to alterations due to climate change1 and
thus may impact on air quality. This paper reviews the scientific linkages and interactions between climate change and air quality, focusing, in particular, on tropospheric
ozone (O3), as well as its precursor gases of methane (CH4), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs)
and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Both O3 and PM are significant air pollutants, having
consequences for human health, and are important in climate change. This paper further highlights limitations of frameworks that propose
independent air quality and climate change policies, suggesting a way forward to incorporate this relatively new and emerging understanding
of the scientific linkages as a basis for policy change in a South African context.
Scientific linkages between air quality and climate change
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The atmospheric emissions released during the combustion of fossil fuels include a variety of emissions that range from carbon dioxide
(CO2), which is a greenhouse gas associated with climate change, to traditional air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide
(SO2), NOx, carbon monoxide (CO) and PM, which all affect human health and ecosystems. The complex interactions
and linkages between pollutants, controlling factors and the climate are reviewed here.
Tropospheric O 3
O3 is a naturally occurring gas that is best known for its important role in the stratosphere of preventing harmful ultraviolet
radiation from reaching the surface of the earth. However, O3 also occurs in the troposphere, where it is a secondary pollutant,
produced as a result of photochemical reactions involving NOx and peroxy radicals formed during the oxidation of CO, CH4
and NMVOCs.2 Tropospheric O3 concentrations have been found to be highly variable over time and space. Concentrations are dependent
on emissions of its precursor gases and the transport of O3-rich air masses. There is strong evidence that photochemical O3
formation has been enhanced due to increases in emissions of precursor gases, particularly from anthropogenic sources.3 Specifically,
anthropogenic emissions of precursor gases have contributed to an increase of about 120% in tropospheric O3 production
since pre-industrial times.4 Elevated levels of tropospheric O3 are a concern, as O3 affects human health and
vegetation. Tropospheric O3 is also the greenhouse gas with the third largest radiative forcing, thus contributing to the greenhouse
effect and climate change.5,6,7 Future levels of tropospheric O3 are likely to be impacted on significantly by climate change. Studies such as those by Hogrefe
et al.8 and Bell et al.9 have modelled the response of tropospheric O3 to possible alterations
in climate for the United States of America (USA), predicting O3 increases. Langner et al.10 also noted that climate
change could result in increases in near-surface O3 levels (above 40 ng/g) over southern and central Europe. The impact of climate
change on the chemical and transport processes that influence tropospheric O3 is discussed below.
Climate change impacts on tropospheric O3 photochemistry
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Climate change is expected to lead to long-term seasonal changes in weather patterns, which are likely to affect the concentrations
and dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. The factors that contribute toward regulating tropospheric O3, such as
temperature, water vapour, cloud cover and precipitation, could all be affected by climate change and are thus likely to play a role
in possible future variations in O3.7,11
Temperature
As many of the reactions involved in O3 production are temperature dependent, climate change-induced temperature
changes are likely to have a significant impact on O3 levels. High O3 concentrations have been linked to changes in
the rates of photolysis reactions. It has been documented that a strong positive association exists between near-surface O3
production and temperatures above 32 °C.12 Studies that have modelled future O3 concentrations have found that
an increase in temperature of 2 °C leads to an increase of 2% – 4% in near-surface O3 levels, and that an increase of
5 °C results in a 5% – 10% increase in O3 levels.5 Dawson et al.13 found that an increase in
temperature led to an increase in the maximum daily eight-hour average O3 levels. One of the most important reactions that contribute to changes in O3 is the temperature-dependent decomposition rate
of peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN).13 PAN is formed in a similar way to O3, due to a photochemical reaction between volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and NOx in the atmosphere. When less PAN is produced, more radicals are available to react with nitric
oxide (NO) to form NO2, which is important for O3 production; thus the production of PAN ties up NOx,
reducing its availability for O3 production.14 Changes in O3 that are due to temperature fluctuations have been shown in both the urban and polluted rural environments,
with O3 increases linked primarily to the increased levels of NOx due to the decrease in the formation of PAN. In
addition to these impacts, temperature also plays a role in influencing the emissions from natural and anthropogenic sources of O3
precursor gases. Water vapour
In the troposphere, O3 is an important oxidising agent, contributing to the formation of hydroxyl (OH) radicals15
through the following reactions:
Water vapour, as shown in the above reactions, provides a sink for O3 due to the consumption of an excited oxygen atom.
Approximately 50% of the chemical destruction of tropospheric O3 is through the reaction of the oxygen atom with water
vapour.16 Given the significance of water vapour availability in O3 destruction, much research has focused on the effects of changes
in atmospheric water vapour on future O3 levels.17 It is expected that climate change will increase the
amount of water vapour that is available for this reaction, thus leading to reduced tropospheric O3.16,18 However,
water vapour has competing effects on the concentration of O3, as the OH radical that is formed plays a vital role
in other reactions in the troposphere, including the production of O3 (amount dependent on the ratio between NOx and
VOC levels), thus the subsequent reactions of the OH radical may lead to the formation of more O3.13 Cloud cover The presence of clouds can alter the concentration of O3 by changing radiation transfer and vertical
transport.19 O3 formation is reduced in the presence of clouds, and clouds deplete NOx levels at night,
making less NOx available for O3 production during the day.20 It is also suggested that increased cloud
cover, especially during the early morning hours, could act to reduce reaction rates and thus lower O3 formation,5
whereas a decrease in cloud cover allows for an increase in photolysis rates. Thus it is well established that changes in cloud cover can affect the photochemistry of O3 production and loss. The impact of
cloud cover on O3 concentrations is generally regarded as minor,13 with increases in cloud cover linked to small
decreases in O3. Reduced cloud cover is thought to have little effect on the concentration of O3, although Murazaki
and Hess17 reported that decreases in low-level cloud water in the USA could lead to an increase in future O3 levels.
However, there are significant uncertainties with regard to the characteristics of clouds in a future climate, which raises uncertainties
with regard to the modelling of cloud changes and their influence on O3 in the future. Precipitation
Precipitation is an important mechanism for the removal of pollutants from the atmosphere, thus also preventing further reactions and
the formation of secondary pollutants. It has been shown that, when precipitation occurs, surface O3 levels decline, and this
decline is linked to the scavenging of precursor gases by precipitation and low solar radiation on precipitation days.21 It is
expected that, in a future climate, changes to precipitation will have an impact on the rates of wet deposition of O3 and its
precursor gases.
Climate change impacts on transport processes
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In addition to climate change-induced changes to photochemical reactions, there are a number of climate change-induced dynamic changes that
will have an impact on the concentration of O3.
Stratospheric–tropospheric exchange
The main source of O3 is in the middle stratosphere. This O3 is exchanged across the tropopause into the troposphere
via a process known as stratospheric–tropospheric exchange (STE).22,23
The exchange of O3 between the stratosphere
and troposphere is also associated with the large-scale Brewer–Dobson circulation system.24 In general, climate change is expected to result in an increased flux of O3 from the stratosphere to the troposphere
as a result of increased STE.25,26,27
Climate change is likely to enhance the Brewer–Dobson circulation system, which in
turn is likely to affect the distribution of O3, lifting O3-poor air upwards in the tropics and moving O3-
rich air to higher latitudes.26 The impact of increased STE O3 flux on the distribution of tropospheric
O3 is also likely to have hemispheric differences, due to variations in water vapour content.27 Convection Convection is an effective mechanism for removing pollutants from the lower troposphere to the middle and upper
troposphere.25
Convection plays an important role in O3 production and destruction by lifting tropospheric air to regions such as the upper
troposphere, where the O3 lifetime is longer.28 Convection also allows for the vertical mixing of O3
precursors, which are transported to the middle and upper troposphere.28 Furthermore, deep convection has the potential to
generate lightning flashes, which result in the production of large amounts of NO in the free troposphere.25 It is expected that, as the climate warms, convection will intensify in most parts of the world, with the probable exception of the
tropics.7 Increased convection has complex implications for tropospheric O3, as it will allow for the rapid
destruction of O3 through the transfer of O3-rich air from the upper troposphere to the lower troposphere. However,
it will also mean the injection of NOx into the upper troposphere, where there is greater O3 production efficiency.
7 The convection of O3 precursors to the upper troposphere could have potentially large consequences for O3
production in this region of the atmosphere29 (discussed below) and possibly for near-surface O3
concentrations as well, due to its transportation between regions. Wind
Generally, high wind speeds are correlated with low pollutant concentrations due to enhanced advection and deposition.13 This
relationship is also true for O3,11 with one study noting that a doubling of wind speed can lead to a 15% decrease in
O3 and a 41% decrease in total reactive nitrogen (NOy).14 However, Holzer and Boer30 have shown
that in a warmer climate there will be warmer winds, which in turn will lead to higher pollutant concentrations. Notwithstanding these
apparent opposite trends, climate change-induced modifications to winds can be expected to influence both the dispersion and photochemical
production of tropospheric O3.
Tropospheric O 3 precusor gases
CH4
Since the middle of the 19th century, levels of CH4 have increased rapidly due to industrialisation and increased
agricultural production.31 This growth in CH4 concentration has been attributed primarily to anthropogenic
activities, with natural CH4 sources being responsible for about a third of present CH4 levels. The naturally
occurring sources of CH4 include the microbiological decay of organic matter under anoxic conditions in areas
such as wetlands and swamps.31 CH4 production is influenced by temperature, with maximum production occurring
at temperatures ranging from 37 °C to 45 °C.32 CH4 is the greenhouse gas with the second largest radiative forcing. CH4 also plays an important
role in the production of background tropospheric O3 levels, as the oxidation of CH4 by OH in areas of
sufficient NOx leads to the formation of O3. CH4 is generally not considered
an O3 precursor gas, due to its long atmospheric lifetime of eight to nine years.33 However,
in recent years, the linkages between O3 and CH4 have become clearer, with research pointing to a strong
coupling between the changes in levels of these two pollutants. Much of the increase in tropospheric O3 in the past
is attributable to global increases in CH4 emissions.34 Furthermore, research has shown that a reduction
in CH4 emissions has the benefit of long-term reduction in O3 levels and reduced radiative forcing.
6,34 The relationship between CH4, O3 and O3 precursor gases is complex, as the lifetime of
CH4 is also influenced by the lifetime of other O3 precursor gases. For example, the lifetime of CH4
is longer when NOx emissions are decreased and shorter when CO emissions are decreased.4 It has further been
documented that a 50% reduction in anthropogenic CH4 emissions can have more influence on tropospheric O3 burden
than a 50% reduction in anthropogenic NOx emissions.33 This is due to the homogeneity of CH4, which
allows anthropogenic and natural CH4 emissions to have equal effectiveness on O3, whereas
anthropogenic NOx emissions are less effective than natural sources such as lightning.33 Investigations into the impact of climate change on CH4 emissions have shown that a warming climate will act to increase
the CH4 oxidation rate co-efficient, which, in most cases, leads to a decrease in CH4 emissions.16
This has implications for O3, as reduced CH4 means reduced background O3 levels.16 The
impact of increasing CH4 on tropospheric O3 levels is capable of enhancing the direct
radiative forcing from CH4 by 19 ± 12%.32 NMVOCs
Isoprene and monoterpene represent two of the most important NMVOCs involved in tropospheric O3 chemistry.35,36,37
These natural emissions occur in order to protect plants from abiotic and biotic stresses, and to attract pollinators.38
Isoprene in particular has been the focus of much research, as emissions in some industrial regions have been documented as being
comparable to hydrocarbon emissions from biogenic sources.39 Many factors influence emissions of isoprene, including the
type of vegetation, stage of leaf development, light, humidity, stress and injury. Thus, isoprene emissions are sensitive to land use
and climate changes,40 with higher temperatures generally resulting in higher emissions.41,42 Studies in the USA have shown that regions expected to have warmer summertime temperatures could experience a 50% to 60% increase in
isoprene emissions.18 The impact of increasing isoprene on O3 levels was also assessed by Zeng et al.,43
who showed that the impact on the global tropospheric O3 burden was minimal, but that the greatest impact on O3
levels occurred during summer. In areas of high NOx, O3 increases of 4 ng/g – 6 ng/g were noted. Meleux
et al.44 found that temperature-driven change in isoprene emissions was the most important chemical factor leading to enhanced
future O3 production in Europe. Thus, the potential for climate change to have an impact on isoprene emission rates and, in
turn, on O3 production, is quite high. NOx
NOx (NO + NO2) emissions indirectly affect the earth’s radiative balance through their role in the
formation of O3, CH4 and hydrofluorocarbons. NOx has both natural and anthropogenic sources that include
biomass burning, lightning, microbial activity in soils, motor vehicles and combustion sources that burn fossil fuels.45,46 In
tropical regions, the main source of NOx is human-induced biomass burning,47 whereas in the Northern Hemisphere mid-
latitudes, combustion of fossil fuels is the dominant source. Between 85% and 97% of NOx is emitted as NO, which is oxidised by O3 in the atmosphere to produce NO2,
as shown in the reaction below.45
Estimates of the magnitude of biogenic emissions of NO compared to anthropogenic sources remain uncertain due to the lack of
data,48 although it is estimated that tropical soils account for about 70% of global soil emissions47 and that soil
sources contribute about 40% of NOx emissions in Africa. Climate change impacts on the control of soil emission factors, such
as soil surface temperature and moisture,48 could affect NO levels and thus modify the rate of O3 production. NOx concentrations have also been noted to be rapidly increasing in the 9 km – 12 km altitude range of the atmosphere.
49 Sources of this increase have not been quantified well, but include convection of pollutants from the surface, production of
NO from lightning, and aircraft emissions. Lightning strikes are associated with the dissociation of molecular nitrogen, which
reacts with O3 to form NO, which then forms NO2. Lightning, together with emissions from aircraft, are the only two
direct NOx emitters in the upper troposphere, and it is thought that lightning emissions exert a significant influence on the
NOx burden in the upper tropopause regions.50,51 It is anticipated that a warmer climate will be conducive to
increased lightning, which could have a large effect on O3 in the upper troposphere.7 Murazaki and Hess17
predicted a significant increase in NOx emissions over the USA from lightning, based on model simulations of climate change
effects in the region. However, it is important to note that the response of O3 to NOx increases depends strongly on the chemical
composition of the atmosphere. For example, increased convection of VOCs to the upper troposphere may contribute to the increased
efficiency of NOx production of O3 in the upper troposphere.49 Hence it is expected that future upper
tropospheric O3 levels will increase due to an increase in lightning-produced NOx, as well as due to more intense
transport of other precursor gases to the upper troposphere.18 In addition to the impacts of climate change on the natural sources of O3 precursors, as described above, climate change is
also likely to lead to behavioural changes that could affect the anthropogenic driving forces that contribute to NOx and VOC
emissions. According to Bernard et al.,5 climate change is likely to alter the patterns of fossil fuel use, as individual
responses to warmer weather should result in changes to air conditioner and motor vehicle use, thus potentially contributing to greater
pollutant emissions.
Particulate matter
Particulate matter (PM) is also widely acknowledged to have significant effects on air quality and human health,52 as well
as impacting on climate change. The term ‘aerosols’ is also used to describe the fine liquid or solid particles
that are suspended in the air, the sources of which are both natural and anthropogenic.53 Two types of aerosols that are of
special interest are black carbon and sulphate aerosols, due to their contribution to climate change. The main sources of black carbon
are the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass burning. Black carbon is considered a component of PM10 54and is
known to absorb solar radiation.55 Sulphate aerosols, which form an important component of PM2.5,56
occur mainly as a result of the oxidation of SO2 57,58
and contribute to the cooling of the earth by
reflecting sunlight back into space, thus preventing the sunlight from reaching the earth’s surface.59,60 In addition to their radiative properties, sulphate aerosols indirectly affect climate by inducing changes in clouds. They act as
cloud condensation nuclei, altering the cloud-droplet size distribution.61,62 Increases in aerosols yield smaller cloud
and thus a larger cloud albedo, often referred to as the ‘cloud albedo effect’, where the decreased droplet size and increased
droplet number result in increased reflectivity,63,64 which in turn contributes to surface cooling. Aerosols that enhance the
scattering and absorption of solar radiation can also affect the climate in the short term by influencing rainfall patterns, by producing
brighter clouds that suppress precipitation and thus limit the efficient removal of pollutants.65 Ramanathan and Feng65
noted that a rapid reduction in SO2 emissions without corresponding reductions in black carbon and greenhouse gases would accelerate
global warming, thereby highlighting an important link to AQM processes that specifically deal with a reduction in SO2 and PM
emissions. Indications are that a warming climate will support the accumulation of aerosols in the atmosphere. This has been demonstrated by the
heat-wave weather conditions in the United Kingdom in 2003, which were favourable for the build-up of aerosols from both anthropogenic
emissions and from secondary sources.66 However, according to Jacob and Winner,67 correlations of PM with
meteorology are not as strong as those observed with O3, making the assessment of the impact of climate change on aerosols
more difficult to predict. It is expected that temperature increases will result in greater sulphate aerosol concentrations due to
faster rates of SO2 oxidation, whereas nitrate and semi-volatile components could decrease.67 Studies that have
modelled the impact of climate change on PM2.5 have indicated PM2.5 decreases associated with increases in
precipitation, and variable PM2.5 responses to changes in the different component species of PM2.5.
68,69,70
As the extent of the influence of climate change on these factors is not yet precisely known, these projections of PM2.5 cannot be
accepted with great certainty.
Climate change and air quality policies
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The improved understanding of the linkages and interactions between climate change and air quality as discussed above provides a platform
for policy-makers to re-examine the traditional approaches to dealing with these issues. A brief review of current policy shortfalls in
addressing the emerging scientific basis for integrative air quality and climate change policies is presented in this section. The Kyoto Protocol was designed to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gases as a means of preventing what the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change deemed dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system.71 Ratified by 183 countries,
72 the Kyoto Protocol prescribes emission reductions, covering a set of six greenhouse gases, namely CO2, CH4,
nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride, for the period 2008–2012.73 O3, aerosols
and the related precursor gases that influence the climate are not targeted for reduction by the Kyoto Protocol. This is due to the short lifetimes
of these gases in the atmosphere, and due to the pollutants having impacts on the local and regional scale.74 The science to
quantitatively assess how climate change will affect the precursor gases of O3 and its radiative forcing is currently regarded
as being inconclusive and thus further impedes its inclusion in climate change policies. By not considering the impacts of the short-lived
gases, the Kyoto Protocol provides a conservative estimate of the impact of fossil fuel combustion.75 Air quality policies also reveal inadequacies in addressing climate change issues. Firstly, AQM processes generally do not consider
greenhouse gas mitigation or the implications of air pollution control on climate change. This is relevant on various levels, as the
AQM processes that result in a reduction in sulphate aerosols and black carbon may have consequences for climate change. Specifically,
measures taken to reduce SO2 would reduce the short-term radiative cooling of sulphate aerosols, which are thought to mask
global warming effects, whereas reductions in black carbon and tropospheric O3 would contribute toward reducing radiative
warming. Furthermore, the actual methods that are imposed to reduce air quality pollutants through end-of-pipe technologies, fuel
switching or structural changes may have positive or negative implications for greenhouse gas emissions.76 Secondly, air quality management plans (AQMPs) are generally developed on the assumption that the climate will remain constant.
Research into the potential effects of climate change on air quality has highlighted the need for policy-makers to design their
AQMPs considering the influence of a changing climate,9,77,78 in order to determine if the assumption of a constant climate
in such plans is invalid and thus likely to work against all the proposed strategies to reduce air pollution.
Air quality policy and climate change in South Africa
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In South Africa there is a high dependence on the combustion of coal for electricity, which contributes toward the country being ranked amongst
the world’s top 25 greenhouse gas emitters, contributing 1% of total CO2(eq) in 2004.79 The combustion of fossil
fuels at power plants and in the processing industries, road transportation and residential sectors further contributes to significant air
pollution in the country. Previous South African air quality legislation, in the form of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (Act No. 45 of 1965) (the APPA),
was based on the best practicable means of preventing air pollution, where a source-based method of control was applied and no consideration
was given to the cumulative effects of emissions on the ambient air. The APPA was regarded as being inadequate and outdated,80 as
it allowed for the deterioration of ambient air quality. The APPA further did not facilitate the achievement of every South African
citizen’s right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being, as stated in the constitution of South
Africa81 and was thus also regarded as being unconstitutional. It was replaced with new air quality legislation in the form
of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act No. 39 of 2004) (the AQA). The AQA signalled a shift in AQM towards a
receiving environment approach, with guidelines on how AQM for the country should advance, and was followed by the development of South
Africa’s National Framework for Air Quality Management in 2007,81 which provided the tools to give effect to the AQA by
outlining procedures and standards for air quality improvements in the country. Thus, South Africa has been making progress in seeking the most appropriate methods of improving air quality in the country. This shift
to a receiving environment approach indicates a natural progression to include all atmospheric emissions, irrespective of their impacts on
the environment. The AQA, together with the subsequent National Framework for Air Quality Management, highlight the importance of ensuring
that AQM practices are compliant with the international agreements signed by the country, such as the Kyoto Protocol, and that they take
cognisance of greenhouse gas emissions. However, presently there is no policy direction as to how this can be achieved, with the result
that the actions and decision-making processes related to AQM ignore the potential climate change implications. Since the current air quality legislation does lend itself to options for incorporating climate change concerns, it is imperative to
begin to investigate options that would allow the country to capitalise on these opportunities during the early stages of policy
development. There are various options for this to occur through AQMPs that are applied at different spheres of government in the country.
AQMPs prescribe the processes that need to be implemented to ensure air quality improvements in the specific area. Figure 1 shows the six
main steps that guide the development and implementation AQMPs in South Africa.81,82 The general tools and components of an AQMP
comprise an emissions inventory, models and air quality standards, with caveats for public engagement and reporting to authorities.
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Figure 1: Process to be followed during the development of an AQMP
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This generic AQMP framework has room for the inclusion of climate change concerns, as the AQA states that the Minister has the discretionary
power to declare a priority pollutant, indicating that greenhouse gases such as CO2 could be declared as priority pollutants
requiring actions to reduce emissions. Thus AQMPs in South Africa could be designed to also incorporate plans to reduce CO2 or
other greenhouse gas emission. This can be achieved through legislation, as just stated, or as a voluntary measure due to increased
awareness and an improved understanding of the linkages between the two issues. The opportunities for incorporating climate change considerations into AQMPs are shown in Figure 2. Firstly, information on greenhouse
gas emissions can be included in the baseline assessment and AQM system of AQMPs. The inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions in these
components of an AQMP will enable more effective management of atmospheric emissions, allowing for the selection of intervention strategies
that simultaneously reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Secondly, the impact of AQM processes on climate change has to be
investigated to understand the climate implications of reducing tropospheric O3, its precursor gases and PM.
Furthermore, the long-term design of AQMPs needs to include an impact assessment of future climate change on air quality (such as
tropospheric O3) in order to determine if additional or more stringent controls will have to be implemented to meet air
quality targets.
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Figure 2: Integrative process to be followed during the development of an AQMP
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Climate change and air quality represent two major environmental challenges that have many scientific linkages and interactions.
Specifically, tropospheric O3, its precursor gases and PM represent AQM priorities that demonstrate close links to
climate change. From an air quality perspective, predictions of the long-term reduction in emissions for AQM are thought to be misleading, as
such estimates are based on the assumption that the climate will remain constant. This presents a problem, as most of the
processes that play a role in the chemical composition of the atmosphere are subject to alterations due to climate change.
Many studies have tried to assess, through model analysis, the impact of climate change on future air quality, as a means to
quantify the possible impacts on human health and thus guide policy responses. O3 has been used as the pollutant of
choice in such studies by virtue of the fact that it is more sensitive to changes in temperature and weather than other pollutants,
and that it allows for the best predictions to be made over long timescales. Model results of projections of future surface O3
concentrations indicate that these levels are likely to increase. The effects of climate change on other air pollutants, such as PM, are
less understood than those on O3. From a climate change perspective, AQM processes that bring about a reduction in tropospheric O3 and black carbon would
contribute to a reduction in climate warming, although a reduction in SO2 could offset the short-term cooling
that occurs. The complex linkages and interactions indicate that separate air quality and climate change policies are insufficient,
signalling a need to move toward more holistic, integrative air quality and climate change policies. In South Africa, opportunities
exist for AQM procedures to capture climate change linkages through AQMPs.
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