Quantifying COVID-19′s impact on GHG emission reduction in Oman's transportation sector: A bottom-up analysis of pre-pandemic years (2015–2019) and the pandemic year (2020)

Abstract

On February 24, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Oman, forcing nationwide lockdowns and movement limitations. This study estimates the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Oman's transportation sector's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Using a bottom-up methodology, this analysis compares the years preceding the pandemic (2015–2019) to the pandemic year (2020). According to the results, the implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures significantly reduced GHG emissions from passenger vehicles by 26.4 % and 27.8 % from whole road transportation. The overall GHG reduction from whole road transportation in Oman during the pandemic year (2020) was estimated around 1,502 kilotons CO2eq. These reductions represent 17 % of the pledged of carbon reduction target in the Second Nationally Determined Contributions by 2030. These results highlight the possibility of achieving emission reduction goals through the adoption of remote work practices, which has contributed significantly to the decline in emissions during the pandemic. Remote work has the potential to reduce commuter trips, thereby reducing overall mobility and emissions, particularly in Oman, which lacks public transportation and relies heavily on private vehicles. The potential benefits of remote work in reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector should be carefully evaluated and encouraged by policymakers in order to help Oman achieve its climate goals.