Since the industrial revolution and technological development, environmental pollution has steadily increased and negatively affected living organisms and life sources.
The consequences associated with environmental pollution manifested in the late last century. Global warming, melting of floating ice in the Arctic and emission of fine particles, are all harmful effects increasing day by day. And this is despite the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement at the end of 2016 by 190 countries. The Agreement aims to stop global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Fifty-five countries representing at least 55 per cent of global emissions were forced to sign the treaty.
Environmental pollution usually comes in the form of harmful substances that attack air, water and soil. It can also be in the form of waves attacking our ears (audio or noise pollution) and our eyes (visual pollution). Some of these substances cause immediate and temporary damages, while for others, damages are not noticed immediately. In some cases, the disruptions are leading to severe ecological imbalances on the earth.
In the Sultanate of Oman, attention to the environment began at an early stage due to the belief of the late sultan in the importance of preserving the environment and reducing pollution for human life.
Based on this, the country established the first ministry of environment and climate affairs in the Arab region.
The ministry, which has converted into Environment Authority, has many tasks and responsibilities to protect the environment, preserve its natural resources and provide all available capabilities to ensure high-quality services to customers and achieve sustainable development.
In 2016, Muscat ranked first in the Arab world as the least polluted Arab city by the Arab Towns Organization.
At that time, the Authority confirmed its keenness to provide all the ingredients for success to confront climate changes and contribute to the international effort to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.
According to the latest statistics, more than 53 reports of environmental pollution incidents were reported during the year 2021, the highest of which was oil pollution with 12 reports, red tide with 9 reports, then sand transport from the beach with 7 reports, in addition to other types of pollution.
The Environmental Emergency Centre at the Environment Authority investigates reports and coordinates with the relevant authorities to find out the incidents that require an immediate response and take the necessary measures.
The Sultanate of Oman, due to its distinguished geographical location is more vulnerable to pollution incidents than other countries in the region. Due to this, the country has had some environmental issues in the recent past, which resulted in active navigational movement.
Due to some leakage incidents after shipwrecks, there were cases of illegal practices by some ships in the Omani territorial waters and the Special Zones. Necessary legal tools are needed to confront such attempts and safeguard the environment.
The Environment Authority is keen to monitor all types and sources of environmental pollution in all parts of the country according to the available monitoring methods. It takes all appropriate measures to prevent the recurrence of such cases and mitigate their effects on humans and the environmental components. According to officials, reports violating environmental procedures like burning farm waste, construction waste and tyres near residential areas come to the notice of the authority through various sources. The authority also acts on reports
of emissions from quarry and crusher sites, encroachment on wildlife, sewage waste disposal near residential areas and violations by some ships that discharge oil waste into
the sea.
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