Muscat: Oman continues to place environmental sustainability at the forefront of its national priorities, focusing on biodiversity conservation, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, water resources, pollution control, waste management, and climate change mitigation. These efforts align with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to ensure a clean and sustainable environment for future generations.

Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kalbani, Director General of Environmental Compliance at the Environment Authority, highlighted the significance of World Environment Day, which has been observed globally since 1972 following the Stockholm Conference and the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

He noted that this year’s World Environment Day theme focuses on climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to reduce emissions and adapt to environmental challenges.

To mark the occasion, the Environment Authority is organizing a series of activities across the Sultanate, including tree-planting campaigns, seedling distribution drives, and environmental awareness programmes. Special attention will be given to Dhofar Governorate during the Khareef season, with initiatives encouraging the preservation of vegetation cover and responsible waste disposal in natural environments.

The official celebration will take place on Sunday at the Authority’s headquarters in partnership with the “Our Footprint is Different” youth team. A key highlight of the event will be the launch of the Environmental Atlas, one of the projects implemented under the Tenth Five-Year Development Plan.

The atlas will provide comprehensive environmental maps and data covering environmentally sensitive areas, nature reserves, and key ecological sites. Officials said the project represents the first step toward creating an integrated digital environmental system that will support planning, decision-making, and sustainable development.

Dr. Al Kalbani also highlighted Oman’s growing role on the international environmental stage, noting that the Sultanate chaired meetings of the United Nations Environment Assembly during 2024 and 2025. During this period, Oman promoted initiatives focused on reducing pollution, protecting biodiversity, expanding nature reserves, increasing vegetation cover, and addressing climate change.

Under Royal directives, Oman has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has developed a national roadmap targeting key sectors such as renewable energy, green transport, green buildings, industry, and logistics. Major investments have already been announced in solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.

Among Oman’s key environmental achievements in recent years are the expansion of air quality monitoring networks across all governorates, implementation of environmental pollutant monitoring projects, and the establishment of real-time marine discharge monitoring systems.

The Sultanate currently has 32 nature reserves and continues to balance conservation efforts with sustainable investment opportunities. Oman’s five-year initiative to plant 10 million trees, launched in 2020, has already resulted in millions of seeds and thousands of seedlings being planted nationwide.

The Authority is also advancing its Blue Carbon Project, which aims to expand mangrove forests to enhance carbon absorption, particularly in Al Wusta Governorate. Additionally, the recently launched “Plant Oman 2050” initiative seeks to plant hundreds of millions of wild and fruit trees by 2050 in collaboration with government entities, farmers, and local communities.

According to Dr. Al Kalbani, these efforts have contributed to significant improvements in Oman’s standing in international environmental rankings, including notable progress in the Environmental Performance Index between 2022 and 2024.

The Environment Authority continues to strengthen environmental monitoring systems covering air quality, marine ecosystems, noise pollution, and radiation protection, while preparing to announce additional nature reserves and environmental projects in the near future.

Environmental awareness remains a major focus, with initiatives such as “Be Careful” targeting plastic pollution reduction and programmes promoting the use of environmentally friendly shopping bags. The Authority is also working closely with universities, colleges, private sector institutions, and civil society organizations to foster environmental responsibility among young people and communities.