Building resilience: Oman’s approach to climate change
Published: 10:11 AM,Nov 28,2024 | EDITED : 02:11 PM,Nov 28,2024
sustainability
Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant threats to Oman and the Arabian Peninsula. From rising sea levels and more frequent storms to drying water sources, crop failures, and disease outbreaks, global warming impacts nearly every aspect of life. Oman, with its longstanding commitment to environmental conservation, has developed strategies to combat these challenges, aligning its efforts with the objectives of the Paris Accord.
Experts, both local and international, have predicted the consequences of climate change on Oman. Even a slight increase in global temperatures could have devastating effects on the country’s economy and living standards. Oman has already begun to feel the impacts of climate change, as highlighted in a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Between 1980 and 2013, the mean temperature in Oman increased by around 0.4°C per decade, resulting in an average annual temperature ranging from 12°C to 28°C, depending on the region. This rise in temperature has led to more intense heat waves, which are becoming increasingly frequent.
The climate models suggest that if emissions remain high, Oman could experience a 5°C increase in average temperature by 2100, with up to 280 heatwave days each year. However, if emissions are reduced, the temperature rise could be limited to 1.5°C, with about 85 heatwave days annually. These projections highlight the urgency for climate action in Oman, as the country is already experiencing the adverse effects of rising temperatures.
Water scarcity is another critical issue for Oman, which is one of the most water-stressed nations globally. With less than 1,000 cubic meters of freshwater available per person annually, Oman faces significant water shortages. Annual rainfall has decreased over the years, and in 2022, the country recorded an average of just 76.44 mm, which is only a fraction of the global average. This reduction in precipitation has increased reliance on desalination plants to meet the water demand. From 2010 to 2018, desalinated water production more than doubled, and desalination now provides the majority of Oman’s potable water. However, desalination is an energy-intensive process, which could strain the energy sector unless more efficient technologies are adopted.
Oman has also faced more frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall, particularly in the southern regions. Floods in 2020 and 2021 caused damage to energy infrastructure and disrupted power supplies in several areas. These extreme weather events have become a common occurrence in Oman, further complicating efforts to maintain reliable energy services.
Coastal areas in Oman are at risk of sea-level rise, which could lead to saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. By the middle of this century, around 64% of cultivated land in the southern Al Batinah region may become unfit for irrigation due to seawater intrusion. This situation could drive an increased demand for desalination, further adding to the energy sector’s burden.
Tropical cyclones and storms from the northern Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea have also intensified. In recent years, the area of Oman vulnerable to these storms has expanded significantly. The 2021 tropical cyclone Shaheen, for instance, caused floods, landslides, and widespread damage to energy infrastructure. Power cuts affected over 120,000 customers, and electricity services took days to restore in some areas. Furthermore, oil and LNG shipments were suspended at several ports due to the storm. The increasing frequency and intensity of such cyclones pose a significant threat to Oman’s energy supply infrastructure.
Recognizing these challenges, Oman has implemented several policies aimed at addressing climate change. One of the country’s key strategies is the Oman Vision 2040, which outlines a plan for a gradual transition to a low-carbon economy. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are at the heart of Oman’s commitments, with goals to increase the share of renewables in energy consumption from 0% in 2015 to 20% by 2030 and up to 39% by 2040. Oman’s National Energy Strategy, published in 2020, further elaborates on these goals, aiming for 20% of electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2027 and for gas-fired plants to operate at 63% efficiency.
Oman’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 are guided by five principles: environmental sustainability, minimizing energy system costs, optimizing economic impacts, addressing social implications, and ensuring security of supply. The country is focusing on electrification, energy efficiency, transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), and expanding renewable energy generation as key steps toward its climate goals. However, as renewable energy sources are often more vulnerable to climate variations, it is essential that Oman pays close attention to the impacts of climate change on these new energy systems.
As a nation highly susceptible to the consequences of climate change, Oman has made significant strides in climate adaptation and resilience. In 2019, Oman approved its National Strategy for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change, which prioritizes five key sectors: water resources, marine biodiversity, agriculture and fisheries, urban areas, tourism, infrastructure, and public health. The energy sector, though not directly included, is addressed within the urban areas and infrastructure sector, particularly in terms of the impact of flooding on electricity supplies.
Building on this, Oman’s National Spatial Strategy 2020-2040 was developed to anticipate climate impacts on urban areas and infrastructure. The strategy outlines adaptation and mitigation measures that ensure future developments are resilient to climate change. The seventh pillar of the strategy focuses on creating an efficient infrastructure system, making sustainable use of resources, and transitioning to renewable energy to support sustainable growth. This approach helps Oman identify its needs for renewable energy projects, energy storage, and electricity transmission while improving the resilience and stability of the energy supply.
Oman’s government has been proactive in incorporating climate resilience into decision-making for energy projects. By including climate risk assessments in the planning stages, adopting more resilient technologies, and enhancing infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, Oman is strengthening its ability to cope with the effects of climate change. For instance, using dry or hybrid cooling technologies in gas power plants in water-scarce areas and deploying more energy-efficient desalination technologies are just some of the steps being taken.
Oman’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, particularly by increasing the penetration of renewables, also contribute to greater climate resilience. A diversified energy system is more capable of withstanding climate-related shocks compared to one reliant on a single technology. The integration of solar and wind energy, which require less water than traditional thermal power plants, can make the energy system more resilient to droughts and other water-related challenges.
In conclusion, Oman is making significant progress in tackling the twin challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Through a combination of public policies, renewable energy initiatives, and climate resilience measures, the country is positioning itself to mitigate the impacts of global warming while ensuring a sustainable future for its citizens. By continuing to integrate climate considerations into its energy and infrastructure planning, Oman is not only addressing its own vulnerabilities but also setting a path toward a more sustainable and resilient future.
Experts, both local and international, have predicted the consequences of climate change on Oman. Even a slight increase in global temperatures could have devastating effects on the country’s economy and living standards. Oman has already begun to feel the impacts of climate change, as highlighted in a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Between 1980 and 2013, the mean temperature in Oman increased by around 0.4°C per decade, resulting in an average annual temperature ranging from 12°C to 28°C, depending on the region. This rise in temperature has led to more intense heat waves, which are becoming increasingly frequent.
The climate models suggest that if emissions remain high, Oman could experience a 5°C increase in average temperature by 2100, with up to 280 heatwave days each year. However, if emissions are reduced, the temperature rise could be limited to 1.5°C, with about 85 heatwave days annually. These projections highlight the urgency for climate action in Oman, as the country is already experiencing the adverse effects of rising temperatures.
Water scarcity is another critical issue for Oman, which is one of the most water-stressed nations globally. With less than 1,000 cubic meters of freshwater available per person annually, Oman faces significant water shortages. Annual rainfall has decreased over the years, and in 2022, the country recorded an average of just 76.44 mm, which is only a fraction of the global average. This reduction in precipitation has increased reliance on desalination plants to meet the water demand. From 2010 to 2018, desalinated water production more than doubled, and desalination now provides the majority of Oman’s potable water. However, desalination is an energy-intensive process, which could strain the energy sector unless more efficient technologies are adopted.
Oman has also faced more frequent flooding due to heavy rainfall, particularly in the southern regions. Floods in 2020 and 2021 caused damage to energy infrastructure and disrupted power supplies in several areas. These extreme weather events have become a common occurrence in Oman, further complicating efforts to maintain reliable energy services.
Coastal areas in Oman are at risk of sea-level rise, which could lead to saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. By the middle of this century, around 64% of cultivated land in the southern Al Batinah region may become unfit for irrigation due to seawater intrusion. This situation could drive an increased demand for desalination, further adding to the energy sector’s burden.
Tropical cyclones and storms from the northern Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea have also intensified. In recent years, the area of Oman vulnerable to these storms has expanded significantly. The 2021 tropical cyclone Shaheen, for instance, caused floods, landslides, and widespread damage to energy infrastructure. Power cuts affected over 120,000 customers, and electricity services took days to restore in some areas. Furthermore, oil and LNG shipments were suspended at several ports due to the storm. The increasing frequency and intensity of such cyclones pose a significant threat to Oman’s energy supply infrastructure.
Recognizing these challenges, Oman has implemented several policies aimed at addressing climate change. One of the country’s key strategies is the Oman Vision 2040, which outlines a plan for a gradual transition to a low-carbon economy. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are at the heart of Oman’s commitments, with goals to increase the share of renewables in energy consumption from 0% in 2015 to 20% by 2030 and up to 39% by 2040. Oman’s National Energy Strategy, published in 2020, further elaborates on these goals, aiming for 20% of electricity generation to come from renewable sources by 2027 and for gas-fired plants to operate at 63% efficiency.
Oman’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 are guided by five principles: environmental sustainability, minimizing energy system costs, optimizing economic impacts, addressing social implications, and ensuring security of supply. The country is focusing on electrification, energy efficiency, transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), and expanding renewable energy generation as key steps toward its climate goals. However, as renewable energy sources are often more vulnerable to climate variations, it is essential that Oman pays close attention to the impacts of climate change on these new energy systems.
As a nation highly susceptible to the consequences of climate change, Oman has made significant strides in climate adaptation and resilience. In 2019, Oman approved its National Strategy for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change, which prioritizes five key sectors: water resources, marine biodiversity, agriculture and fisheries, urban areas, tourism, infrastructure, and public health. The energy sector, though not directly included, is addressed within the urban areas and infrastructure sector, particularly in terms of the impact of flooding on electricity supplies.
Building on this, Oman’s National Spatial Strategy 2020-2040 was developed to anticipate climate impacts on urban areas and infrastructure. The strategy outlines adaptation and mitigation measures that ensure future developments are resilient to climate change. The seventh pillar of the strategy focuses on creating an efficient infrastructure system, making sustainable use of resources, and transitioning to renewable energy to support sustainable growth. This approach helps Oman identify its needs for renewable energy projects, energy storage, and electricity transmission while improving the resilience and stability of the energy supply.
Oman’s government has been proactive in incorporating climate resilience into decision-making for energy projects. By including climate risk assessments in the planning stages, adopting more resilient technologies, and enhancing infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events, Oman is strengthening its ability to cope with the effects of climate change. For instance, using dry or hybrid cooling technologies in gas power plants in water-scarce areas and deploying more energy-efficient desalination technologies are just some of the steps being taken.
Oman’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, particularly by increasing the penetration of renewables, also contribute to greater climate resilience. A diversified energy system is more capable of withstanding climate-related shocks compared to one reliant on a single technology. The integration of solar and wind energy, which require less water than traditional thermal power plants, can make the energy system more resilient to droughts and other water-related challenges.
In conclusion, Oman is making significant progress in tackling the twin challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Through a combination of public policies, renewable energy initiatives, and climate resilience measures, the country is positioning itself to mitigate the impacts of global warming while ensuring a sustainable future for its citizens. By continuing to integrate climate considerations into its energy and infrastructure planning, Oman is not only addressing its own vulnerabilities but also setting a path toward a more sustainable and resilient future.