Air Quality Offsets Guideline

The Department of Environmental Affairs has published the Air Quality Offsets Guideline. "Environmental offsets are generally defined as measures that counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for the adverse impacts of an activity on the environment. Offsets are not intended to replace regulatory and enforcement tools but are an additional tool that can be used to achieve long-term environmental protection. If implemented appropriately, air quality offsets should be capable of demonstrating air quality improvements that are real, quantifiable and verifiable." 

The purpose of the Air Quality Offsets Guideline " is to provide guidance on situations under which offsets can be applied during the implementation of the atmospheric emission licensing system stipulated in Chapter 5 of AQA. The document also provides guidance in terms of principles that should be adhered to in recommending and implementing offsets as well as the responsibilities of the different role players."