Oman’s first step towards net zero targets take off

The process of net-zero emissions involves removing carbon from the atmosphere, especially by reworking human activities, which includes reducing emissions from factories and vehicles fueled by fossil fuels.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries agreed to limit warming to below two degrees Celsius to 1.5 degrees Celsius between 2050 and 2060.

According to reports, the world has been slow to hold the rise in temperatures. At the same time, rapid transformation will be required on various fronts, such as the use of electricity, transport systems, and even the food we consume.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology launched a program for cutting down carbon emissions, which includes the transport and communications and information technology sector which accounts for nearly 20 percent of the total carbon emissions in Oman.

The ministry divided its carbon neutrality plan into three phases: Cutting down three percent of carbon emissions by 2030; 34 percent of carbon emissions by 2040; and 100 percent of carbon emissions by 2050.

In the first phase of its plan, the ministry seeks to reach 7,000 electric cars — which account for 35 percent of the new light vehicles — and cut down 40 percent of carbon emissions from heavy equipment by using dual combustion technology. The technology was fully developed in Oman.

The ministry also plans to use biofuel in public transport vehicles and transform some port equipment into environment-friendly devices that use electricity. In the second phase, the ministry targets reaching 22,000 new electric cars by 2040, which comprise 65 percent of the new vehicles in Oman. The ministry is also working on a plan to limit the operating age of public transport vehicles in a manner that boosts the reduction of carbon emissions.

This is in addition to establishing a regional centre for refueling ships with green fuel. The step will constitute a major development in the region. The second phase also envisages upgrading bus stations and buildings, namely by installing solar panels.

Towards this end, the ministry set a short-term plan to install more than 140 electric vehicle chargers by the end of 2023, and more than 350 chargers by 2026.