Evaluating Eskom’s latest minimum emission standards (MES) exemption request: Implications for air quality and public health

Minimum emission standards (MES) were introduced under South Africa’s National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) to regulate industrial emissions and reduce harmful pollutants, including those from coal-fired power stations, to protect public health and the environment.

Yet, Eskom, the country’s largest power utility, has previously sought pollution exemptions from the MES for several of its ageing coal plants, citing financial and technical challenges, and has submitted a report to support their request.

CREA’s evaluation reveals why the government should not accept the exemptions, including due to the:

  • underestimation of health benefits,
  • ethical concerns in the use of cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and
  • failure to meet international standards.

Jamie Kelly; Erika Uusivuori; Vera Tattari

Africa, South Africa