First Update of the Second Nationally Determined Contribution.

This First Update of the Second Nationally Determined Contribution reaffirms Oman’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis and contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. The document outlines Oman’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Notably, Oman has significantly raised its emission reduction target to 21% by 2030 - an improvement from the previous goal of 7% - compared to projected business-as-usual emissions. Energy efficiency initiatives and adopting green electrification technologies will primarily drive this reduction. In this update, Oman presents its latest nationwide strategies and climate action programs while introducing new baseline data and business-as-usual projections. These enhancements reinforce the country’s commitment to transparency and data accuracy in its journey toward net-zero emissions.
Oman’s comprehensive strategy for building resilience and adapting to climate change focuses on (i) strengthening institutional capacity to effectively address climate challenges; (ii) increasing awareness of climate change across public and private sectors; (iii) actively engaging at national and international levels to meet climate-related needs; (iv) advancing climate research to enhance access to essential climate data; and (v) formulating sector-specific policies as part of Oman’s climate adaptation strategy. The document outlines adaptation efforts across the following key sectors (i) Water resources: developing a National Water Strategy, implementing advanced water irrigation management practices, preserving the Aflaj Irrigation System, and establishing artificial rain seeding stations; (ii) Fisheries and marine resources: monitoring and assessing the impact of climate change on fish stocks, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and strengthening the resilience of fishing infrastructure; (iii) Agriculture and related sectors: enhancing food security and the resilience of food production, investing in surface water harvesting infrastructure, and promoting sustainable agriculture and livestock management practices; (iv) Coastal sector: implementing proactive coastal defense strategies and advancing long-term planning projects that consider climate dynamics; (v) Urban and infrastructure sector: encouraging the transition to electric vehicles, strengthening urban infrastructure resilience, and developing smart cities and climate-resilient infrastructure; (vi) Public health: adapting healthcare facilities to evolving climate patterns, increasing public awareness of climate-related health impacts, and developing data-driven health models and preparedness strategies.
The strategies to mitigate climate change and achieve emission reduction targets are structured around the following objectives (i) Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050: transitioning to a low-carbon economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) reduce emissions by 21% by 2030: implementing targeted measures to meet this reduction goal; (iii) promote renewable energy: expanding the share of renewable sources in the national energy mix; (iv) enhance energy efficiency: implementing energy-saving measures across multiple sectors to reduce overall consumption; (v) develop green technologies: investing in innovative solutions such as hydrogen production and carbon capture technologies. The measures to achieve these objectives focus on the following key sectors (i) Power sector: expanding renewable energy projects (e.g., solar and wind power), enforcing energy efficiency standards for appliances, and promoting the transition to LED lighting; (ii) Oil and gas sector: implementing natural gas capture and repurposing projects, advancing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, and reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030; (iii) Industry sector: electrifying refining processes and low-to-medium temperature heat processes, promoting hydrogen production and usage, and implementing carbon capture and storage in hard-to-abate sectors; (iv) Transport sector: encouraging the adoption of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and implementing biofuel blending to reduce emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles.