Muscat: As part of its national strategy to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Oman launched the Oman Blue Carbon Project, the first of its kind in the region to harness the power of mangroves for carbon credits. The Environment Authority signed a landmark contract with MSA Green Projects to plant 100 million mangrove trees, with the aim of eliminating 14 million tons of carbon dioxide, restoring natural habitats, and creating artificial lakes to support biodiversity and eco-tourism.

This initiative not only serves environmental objectives but also promises economic benefits by reclaiming land and offering carbon credit investments.

In tandem, the Environment Authority also introduced Roznah, the National Green Building Rating System, developed in collaboration with both governmental and private institutions. The system offers a voluntary certification process that encourages energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, sustainable construction practices, and a shift towards innovation in building design.

Roznah aims to foster environmental awareness and rational consumption, with green buildings incorporating renewable materials, eco-friendly techniques, and intelligent systems to minimize resource waste. The initiative reflects Oman’s rising environmental profile, underscored by its leap from 149th to 54th place in the global Environmental Performance Index between 2022 and 2024.