MUSCAT, AUG 8
Seeking to decarbonise Oman’s rapidly expanding e-commerce sector, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched a public consultation aimed at garnering stakeholder feedback on a number of proposals to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
The ‘Postal Sector Environmental Sustainability Initiatives’ include proposals for the deployment of Electric Vehicles (EV) and e-scooters for postal and ecommerce deliveries, use of renewable energy in office buildings, and a switch to recyclable materials for packaging, among other sustainable practices.
“As part of its role in regulating the postal services sector, the TRA endeavours to contribute to achieving the Oman Vision 2040 environmental (goals) by facilitating a number of sustainability initiatives aimed to reduce emissions, pollutants and encourage energy conservation in the postal sector operations. Increased demand for postal and delivery services triggered by e-commerce has led the sector to further utilize vehicle fleets (commercial and private) on a national level for its postal activities which impacts the environment,” the Authority said in an introductory note on its public consultation.
It urged postal and ecommerce industry stakeholders, including courier companies, green vehicle distributors, investors and other members of the general public to share their thoughts on its initiatives to support the introduction of environment-friendly and sustainable practices across the sector.
Key among the initiatives proposed by the Authority is the use Electric Vehicles and e-scooters in metropolitan areas with a view to reducing carbon emissions from the delivery side of the business. To this end, it has also proposed the use of renewable energy in offices and touch points, as well as the adoption of online videoconferencing options in place of physical meetings.
Furthermore, the Authority has mooted a large-scale switch to solar PV based renewable energy sources and LED lighting in postal offices, deployment of energy management systems, and adoption of sustainable energy conservation practices in buildings.
Additionally, given the prodigious volumes of card and paper consumed by the sector for packaging and other uses, the TRA has called for all players to be suitably plugged into the circular economy. It has proposed the use of recyclable materials for packaging, utilization of locally produced packaging material, and procurements only from sustainable suppliers.
Further, to reduce paper consumption in the industry, the Authority has proposed a switch to digital invoicing in place of printed invoices, digital payments, and the digitization of most services.
And with a view to embedding sustainability in the sector, the Authority has mooted the implementation of ISO 50001 Energy Management Standards, the institution of a Green Post Day and other sustainability initiatives.
Interested respondents have until August 17, 2023 to share their feedback on the TRA’s proposals.
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