Section B: Case study – (compulsory) [50 MARKS] Refer to the following article and answer the questions that follow: Wright, C.Y., Mathee, A., Kapwata, T. and Street, R., 2024. The impact of rolling blackouts on environmental health in South Africa. Journal of Health and Pollution, 14(1), pp. 1–12. Available at: University of Pretoria Research Repository [Accessed 10 October 2026]. doi:10.1289/JHP1090. Question 3 Businesses have a responsibility to maintain their operations during electricity interruptions while minimising harm to the environment. Evaluate how South African businesses can use applicable environmental legislation and an environmental management system (EMS) to reduce pollution associated with backup generators and other emergency energy practices. In your answer, refer to relevant legislation, environmental management principles and practical measures that businesses can implement. (6 x 2 marks)

South African businesses can significantly reduce pollution from backup generators and emergency energy practices by integrating environmental legislation and an Environmental Management System (EMS) through the following measures:

• Step 1: Adherence to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) NEMA establishes the overarching framework for environmental management in South Africa, promoting sustainable development and requiring a duty of care towards the environment. Businesses must ensure their generator operations do not cause significant environmental degradation, including air pollution, noise pollution, and improper waste disposal, aligning with NEMA's general environmental principles.

• Step 2: Compliance with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEM:AQA) (Act 39 of 2004) NEM:AQA regulates atmospheric emissions, requiring businesses operating generators above certain thresholds to obtain Atmospheric Emission Licenses (AELs) and comply with specific emission standards for pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen oxides ($\ce{NOx}$), and sulphur dioxide ($\ce{SO2}$). This mandates regular monitoring and reporting of emissions, driving businesses to use cleaner fuels or install emission control technologies.

• Step 3: EMS Principle: Environmental Policy and Planning (e.g., ISO 14001) An EMS, such as ISO 14001, requires businesses to establish an environmental policy and conduct an initial environmental review to identify significant environmental aspects and impacts of their operations, including generator emissions, noise, and fuel storage. This leads to setting measurable environmental objectives and targets for pollution reduction, such as reducing fuel consumption or improving emission quality.

• Step 4: EMS Principle: Implementation and Operation The EMS framework guides the development of operational control procedures for generators, including routine maintenance schedules, proper fuel handling and storage protocols to prevent spills, and emergency preparedness and response plans for incidents like fuel leaks. It also mandates training and awareness for staff on environmentally sound generator operation and maintenance.

• Step 5: Practical Measure: Fuel Efficiency and Cleaner Alternatives Businesses can implement practical measures such as investing in more fuel-efficient generator models, optimizing generator run times to minimize unnecessary operation, and exploring cleaner fuel alternatives. This includes using low-sulphur diesel, biodiesel blends, or, where infrastructure permits, natural gas generators, which typically produce fewer harmful emissions than traditional diesel.

• Step 6: Practical Measure: Maintenance, Monitoring, and Mitigation Technologies Regular and thorough maintenance of generators is crucial to ensure optimal combustion and minimize emissions. Businesses should also implement continuous monitoring of emissions and noise levels. Furthermore, they can invest in mitigation technologies such as exhaust gas after-treatment systems (e.g., catalytic converters, particulate filters) and acoustic enclosures to reduce noise pollution.