Oman’s first step towards net zero targets takes off

The process of net-zero emissions involves carbon from the atmosphere, especially by reworking human activities.

These activities will include reducing emissions from factories and vehicles fueled by fossil fuels.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries agreed to limit warming to well 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 while 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 special programme for cutting down carbon emissions, which includes the transport and communications and information technology sector which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the total carbon emissions in Oman.

The ministry divided its carbon neutrality plan into three phases: Cutting down three per cent of carbon emissions by 2030; 34 per cent of carbon emissions by 2040; and 100 per cent 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 per cent of the new light vehicles — and cut down 40 per cent of carbon emissions from heavy equipment by using dual combustion technology. The technology was fully developed in Oman.

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY

The ministry also plans to use biofuel in public transport vehicles and transform some port equipment into environmentfriendly devices that use electricity. In the second phase, the ministry targets reaching 22,000 new electric cars by 2040, which comprise 65 per cent 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.