Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority has commissioned the Centre of Environmental Studies and Research at Sultan Qaboos University to develop a roadmap for reducing emissions in Oman’s aviation industry, marking a key step in the country’s efforts to decarbonise air transport, Zawaya reported.
The research initiative aims to create a strategic and scientific framework to support the Sultanate’s transition toward a low-carbon aviation sector, aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
According to Dr. Malik Al Wardy, Director of the Centre of Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR), the project will address the climate impacts of aviation—an industry that plays a crucial role in Oman’s economic growth, tourism and global connectivity but is also a growing source of greenhouse gas emissions due to increasing air traffic and jet fuel use.
As part of the project, researchers will develop a comprehensive inventory of aviation emissions covering the period from 2015 to 2024 and produce forward-looking emissions scenarios based on expected growth in the aviation sector.
The study will also evaluate practical mitigation strategies for airlines, analyse the costs and benefits of different decarbonisation pathways, and propose a conceptual digital platform for monitoring and reporting aviation-related emissions.
The initiative will involve collaboration with key stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem, including airlines, airports and government agencies. The framework will align with international methodologies developed by organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The effort supports sustainability objectives outlined in the National Aviation Strategy 2040, which aims to build a competitive and environmentally responsible aviation sector while expanding capacity.
Under the strategy, Oman aims to handle around 40 million passengers and one million tonnes of air cargo annually by 2040, while maintaining compliance with global environmental standards and adopting technologies that reduce aviation’s carbon footprint.
A major pillar of this transition is the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The Civil Aviation Authority has already signed a cooperation agreement with OQ Group and Dutch sustainable fuel specialist SkyNRG to explore the establishment of a sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Oman, including suitable technology pathways and feedstocks for large-scale green fuel production.
Officials say the initiative could help position Oman as a regional leader in sustainable aviation while enabling evidence-based policymaking and supporting a more climate-resilient aviation sector.
