Muscat – Oman is adopting several measures in its efforts to address the phenomenon of climate change. Besides formulating a national strategy, the sultanate is also in the process of drafting a climate change legislation.

The sultanate is currently updating climate affairs management regulations to keep pace with local and international developments. The regulations aim to monitor the performance of companies and establishments tasked with climate affairs, either by moderating or adapting to climate change.

Steps are also underway to de-vise a climate change legislation in cooperation with the departments concerned, so that such a statute serves as a regulatory code for drafting general provisions about climate affairs in all sectors of development in Oman.

In the process, preliminary steps include drafting a national strategy for alleviation and adaptation to climate change. ‘This serves as a springboard for action plans and projects across all sectors,’ a report by ONA stated.

‘Preparation of a database to follow up the realisation of nationally-determined contributions has been among measures undertaken towards compliance with the proportion of emissions as of the year 2030 based on (envisaged) seven per cent reduction of emissions.’

A database has also been formed to enumerate all projects on adapting with climate change in Oman. This is in addition to the preparation of a greenhouse gases database for basic sectors, which facilitates the annual emissions control process.

Among other efficient endeavours, a technical team of specialists has been formed comprising representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), public sector establishments and private sector firms. The team operates under the purview of the Ministerial Committee for Climate Change and Ozone Layer Protection. The team proposes and executes policies and plans of action to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions and contain their negative impacts in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Oman will take part in the Twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties to climate change pacts (Cop27), scheduled for November 6 to 18 in Egypt.