Introduction
 The
Environment Protection Authority
(EPA) administers air pollution control in South Australia and
plays an important role in monitoring and regulating the State's
air quality. The EPA has a strong policy development and management
focus in the control of emissions that contribute to pollution,
the enhanced greenhouse effect and ozone layer depletion.
This is achieved through legislative powers associated with the
Environment Protection Act 1993 and collaborative international
agreements, such as the Kyoto and Montreal Protocols.
The EPA works in partnership with industry and community and
actively supports education and innovation for better environmental
outcomes for all South Australians.
Air quality
Air quality management
 Adelaide
enjoys arguably the best air quality of Australia's capital cities.
This can be attributed both to the EPA's effective air quality
management programs and Adelaide's favourable meteorological conditions.
The EPA deals with air quality issues ranging from industrial
gas and dust emissions to motor vehicle emissions and backyard
burning.
The backyard burning program, which is administered by local
government, has been highly successful in reducing smoke pollution
in Adelaide. In cooperation with SA Police, the EPA issues reports
of smoky vehicles to Department of Transport, Energy & Infrastructure
(DTEI), which controls them through the Road Traffic Act 1961.
>> More including details on
ambient air quality management.
Greenhouse gas reduction
The risk of climate change resulting from the enhanced greenhouse
effect is one of the world's most significant current international
environmental issues.
South Australians contribute more than 20 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide, the most significant greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere
each year. This is equivalent to about 15 tonnes for every person
in the State. If we are to achieve the maximum benefit from minimising
greenhouse emissions in South Australia, it is essential that
everybody works together. The EPA is committed to supporting South
Australians in achieving this goal.
The enhanced greenhouse effect
 Greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide help to
trap heat from the Sun within the Earth's atmosphere and maintain
a temperature at a level necessary to support life.
The enhanced greenhouse effect involves the increase in greenhouse
gases from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels
and land clearing. Global warming is a direct result of the enhanced
greenhouse effect.
>> More
Ozone
Protection of the ozone layer is now the responsibility of the
Commonwealth Government, and licensing relating to that issue
is administered by the Department
of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA).
Regulations that specifically address the four key industry sectors
of refrigeration and air conditioning, foam, fire protection and
fumigation (methyl bromide) can be accessed via the DEWHA web
link.
The Australian
Refrigeration Council Ltd is the approved industry board for
issue of licences for refrigeration and air conditioning on behalf
of the department.
Licences relating to fire protection are issued on behalf of
the department by the Fire
Protection Association of Australia, (FPAA).
National Pollutant Inventory
 The
National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) is a database that provides
information on the pollutants being emitted to air, land and water
from a range of industrial, commercial, transport and household
activities.
This information is available to the community, industry and
government. The EPA uses NPI data as an environmental management
tool for assessing air quality.
>> More
Get involved
AirWatch:
community monitoring
The EPA supports AirWatch, an exciting 'hands-on' air monitoring
program for schools.
Global
warming calculator
Calculate your personal contribution to the enhanced greenhouse
effect.
Greenhouse
Challenge
Enlist your business as a participant in the Australian Greenhouse
Office's Greenhouse Challenge for eligibility for assistance to
reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
Green
Power
Buy some or all of your electricity from renewable energy generators.
Resources
Directories
The following directories provide detailed data on air quality,
greenhouse gas reduction and ozone protection.
National
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
The National Greenhouse Gas Inventory reports annually on human-induced
greenhouse gases in six sectors.
National Pollutant
Inventory
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) provides information on
the types and amounts of certain emissions and their impact on
human health and the environment.
Publications
EPA Publications include air quality
monitoring reports, EPA Guidelines and EPA Information.
Legislation and licences
Legislation
Licences
This page was last modified 28-10-2008
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