Muscat,
The Ministry of Energy and Minerals issued Ministerial Decision No. (35/2024) establishing the Oman Net Zero Centre.
The move aims to support the Sultanate of Oman’s efforts in achieving its goals of reaching zero neutrality by 2050, by developing updated strategies, monitoring the implementation of zero neutrality projects, including energy efficiency projects, and providing technical support to government and private agencies.
In this context Eng. Salim Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals stated, “The decision to establish the Oman Net Zero Centre comes in implementation of the royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to establish the center for it to undertake the task of supervising and following up on zero neutrality plans and programs. This will actively contribute to energy efficiency and support relevant entities to reach zero neutrality by 2025.
The Center will undertake a crucial role in expediting the implementation of net-zero initiatives and supporting all sectors in achieving their objectives, as outlined in the National Net-Zero Strategy. This will be accomplished through collaboration with both government and private entities. The Center will also serve as a pivotal tool in ensuring the realization of Oman’s vision for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Center will actively contribute to defining and refining Oman’s net-zero strategy, collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure alignment with national objectives. It will also oversee the monitoring and implementation of net-zero projects, while spearheading public awareness campaigns and bolstering national capacities in this critical domain. These efforts will ensure the realization of Oman’s net-zero objectives and its broader sustainability goals.
The Center will adopt the necessary executive programs and plans to achieve the goals across various sectors, in addition to following up on the implementation of projects and initiatives that support this transformation, addressing the challenges they may face, and submitting the necessary periodic reports.
The Center will also be responsible for developing and updating the national plan for enhancing energy consumption efficiency, monitoring its implementation across various sectors, evaluating energy consumption levels in approved projects, and proposing necessary improvements in coordination with relevant authorities.
As part of its responsibilities, the Center will work to provide technical support and advice to various entities to reduce carbon emissions and raise energy use efficiency. It will also focus on adopting and transferring the latest international practices and technologies to the Sultanate of Oman, while supporting scientific research, innovation, and developing national capabilities.
Furthermore, the Center will manage requests for carbon, hydrogen, and low-carbon product certifications. This includes reviewing and auditing applications, and ultimately issuing certificates in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Environment Authority. The Center will also oversee the registration and approval of requests for carbon certificate trading at the domestic level, ensuring alignment with international carbon credit frameworks.
