Nova was proud to play a key role in the recent national air quality workshop hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in Pretoria on the 22nd of April 2026. The event marked a major step forward in using science-driven solutions to tackle South Africa’s persistent air quality challenges.
The highlight of the session was the launch of ASSAf’s latest policy brief: Air Quality Offsets as an Instrument for Air Quality Management in South Africa. Nova was deeply involved in the multi-stakeholder consultation process, assisting too with the drafting of this new policy direction.
Evidence shows that through practical, locally responsive interventions, air quality offsets have the potential to support both improved environmental outcomes and broader community wellbeing. They also offer a responsible mechanism for industries to improve life in low-income communities – both adjacent to their operations as well as from “sending” communities (communities from which employees are historically or currently drawn).
Key interventions supported by the policy include:
- Transitioning households to cleaner energy sources
- Improving the thermal efficiency of homes
- Reducing waste burning through better local management.
While there are still important challenges to work through in policy and implementation, we remain committed to engaging constructively with industry, government, researchers, and communities to strengthen the evidence base and support approaches that can deliver meaningful benefits over time.