Oman has released a new climate plan, with an absolute emissions reduction target of up to 33pc over 2024-35, depending on the level of international support received.
The country's government committed to an unconditional reduction of 7pc in emissions by 2035, from a 2024 baseline, and an additional 26pc reduction over the same timeframe on a conditional basis. National climate plans submitted by developing countries to UN climate body the UNFCCC are often split into unconditional and conditional actions — the latter reliant on external financial or technical support.
Oman estimated its total emissions in 2024 at 93.6mn t/CO2 equivalent (CO2e). It has changed its approach, now using 2024 as its baseline, rather than using a business-as-usual trajectory. Oman plans to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The government plans to reduce emissions by expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and managing land and water resources sustainably to maximise carbon sinks. It aims to ramp up waste-to-energy, address methane from landfill sites and look at "gradual adoption" of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) in heavy industry. The government also flagged green hydrogen as a "major diversification pathway". Oman has a green hydrogen production target of at least 1mn t/yr by 2030 and up to 8.5mn t/yr by 2050, according to the plan.
But for the time being, Oman's economy "remains heavily dependent on oil and gas exports", the plan noted. The country has a "clear direction toward economic diversification", it said. The government plans to reduce the oil sector's share of GDP to 16pc by 2030 and 8.4pc by 2040. "Oil activities" accounted for 32pc of GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the country's foreign ministry. Oman, a member of the Opec+ group, produced 923,500 b/d of crude in June.
Oman's new plan also set out the estimated investment needed to reach its emission reduction targets — a total of $31bn over 2026-35 to abate 30.4mn t/yr of CO2e across energy, industry, waste and agriculture.
Much of the plan also focuses on adaptation — adjusting to the effects of climate change where possible. Water stress and availability is a key area for Oman, and the plan notes a "clear warming trend" in the country — its mean temperature increased by around 0.4°C per decade between 1980 and 2013.
The plan is Oman's third nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris climate agreement. Signatories to the Paris agreement are required to submit NDCs every five years, rising in ambition each time. While countries reach decisions at Cops, the NDCs are the chief route for the implementation of climate action.
