Air pollution represents a multifaceted environmental and socio-economic issue that impacts health, energy generation, urban growth, and climate systems at the same time. It is therefore considered a “wicked problem” due to its numerous causes, its unequa

Air pollution is a complex environmental and socio-economic challenge that affects health, energy production, urban development, and climate stability simultaneously. This complexity makes it a “wicked problem,” characterized by its myriad causes, its disproportionate impact on various communities, and the absence of a single, simple solution to tackle it. In Mpumalanga Province, air pollution is closely tied to activities such as coal mining, coal-fired power generation, industrial operations, emissions from transportation, agricultural burning, and the use of fuels in households. These activities not only contribute significantly to environmental harm but also threaten South Africa’s endeavors to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.