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Oman steps up efforts to achieve net zero by 2050

6 Oct 2024 Transport, IT sectors step up efforts to achieve net zero by 2050 By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – Oman has intensified efforts to reduce carbon emissions with the goal of achieving net zero by 2050, focusing on land, sea and air transport sectors, as well as the communications and information technology industries.

Abdullah bin Ali al Busaidi, Director General of Oman Logistics Centre at Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and member of the Net Zero Neutrality Team, outlined the country’s strategic plan. He highlighted efforts to replace traditional vehicles with environmentally friendly alternatives, noting that the number of electric vehicles in Oman has already reached 1,500 with 120 charging points installed across the sultanate.

“Hydrogen energy is the most suitable solution for reducing emissions from heavy vehicles,” Busaidi said, while acknowledging the challenges in developing the necessary infrastructure. He added that Oman has begun implementing ‘green lanes’ for trucks as part of the ongoing initiatives.

According to Busaidi, emissions from land transport account for 20% of the country’s total emissions. Added to air and sea transport sector emissions, the figure rises to 28%. The government has set phased targets to reduce emissions in the transport sector, aiming for a 3% reduction by 2030, 34% by 2040 and 100% by 2050.

Efforts to reduce emissions in heavy transport include a gradual transition to hydrogen-powered trucks using dual-combustion technology developed locally by the private sector. The technology has already demonstrated a 52% reduction in emissions.

On the technology front, Busaidi pointed out that emissions from the communications and information technology sector stem primarily from data centres and communication towers.

The marine transport sector is also undergoing transformation with plans to convert facilities and equipment to more environmentally friendly, electric-powered alternatives. Oman aims to position itself as a regional hub for supplying ships with clean energy.

The Civil Aviation Authority is similarly committed to reducing emissions with projects underway to develop sustainable aviation fuel locally.

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