Muscat: The Environment and Natural Resources priority under Oman Vision 2040 aims to establish effective, balanced and resilient ecological systems that protect the environment and sustain natural resources in support of the national economy. The priority seeks to balance environmental, economic and social requirements within the framework of sustainable development, while ensuring high-quality, pollution-free environments, enhancing food and water security through renewable resources and advanced technologies, and optimising Oman's strategic location and biodiversity.
According to Oman News Agency, this priority is directly linked to the economy and development axis by ensuring resource sustainability, and serves as a key driver for emerging sectors such as the green and circular economies, while also supporting the Human and Society axis. The priority targets three key indicators: the Oman Water Index, the share of renewable energy in total consumption, and the Environmental Performance Index.
In the most recent EPI reading, Oman climbed six places to rank 49th globally out of 180 countries, up from 55th in 2024. Oman also secured third place in the Middle East, second in the Arab world, and second among GCC states. In sub-indicators, Oman ranked first globally in sustainable solid waste management, clean household fuel, sulphur dioxide emissions trends, species habitat and open-water trawling, and ninth in marine environment protection.
Oman aims to be among the top 40 countries by 2030 and to reach the top 20 by 2040, reflecting its commitment to environmental improvement, resource conservation and human well-being. The progress results from national efforts by the Environment Authority and relevant institutions, supported by a steering committee, technical teams and a dedicated team to ensure data quality and completeness.
International partnerships with index-responsible bodies and global data providers helped track methodological updates, verify data and address gaps that could affect Oman's ranking. The advancement reflects national policies in climate action, sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, air quality improvement, renewable energy expansion, circular economy promotion and sustainability initiatives aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
Key efforts include expanding air quality monitoring with 70 stations established in 2025, and leading a global trend to separate dust particles from industrial carbon dioxide in air quality measurements - distinguishing natural from industrial impacts. This contributed to Oman ranking first globally in sulphur dioxide emission reductions.
Oman has also developed waste management and circular economy systems, focusing on resource sustainability and value creation. Initiatives include the second phase of an industrial waste treatment facility, identification and measurement of carbon dioxide sources, a reverse vending machine project to facilitate waste sorting and raise awareness, and strategic partnerships to produce recycled plastics.
A waste-to-energy project processing about 3,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily to generate 75-100 MW of electricity will significantly reduce landfill reliance by 2030, enhance resource efficiency, support the circular economy and strengthen renewable energy and sustainability targets. This policy has raised recycling rates from about 11 to over 100, achieving 40 percent solid waste recovery.
In biodiversity, Oman continues efforts to breed and release endangered species, moving several from red and green lists to less threatened categories, alongside a national project to monitor species populations across natural habitats. In climate change mitigation, Oman continues its path to carbon neutrality by 2050 through initiatives to reduce emissions by 33 percent by 2050, supported by environmental legislation, digital transformation of environmental services and integrated efforts that have strengthened national environmental performance.