Strategic pathways and regulatory choices for effective GHG reduction in hydrocarbon based economy: Case of Oman

Yassine Charabi,Talal Al-Awadhi,B.S Choudri

doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2018.10.005

Yassine Charabi, Talal Al-Awadhi + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2018.10.005

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Journal: Energy Reports	Publication Date: Oct 30, 2018
Citations: 8	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Sultan Qaboos University

Abstract

The sultanate of Oman is a high-income country with economy dominated by hydrocarbon production accounting for 47.2% of GDP in 2014. Of the total, crude oil production contributed 43.8% to GDP while natural gas output accounted for contributed 3.4% of economic output. The sustained economic growth, urban sprawl and industrialization have maintained a continuous rising in energy demand. The consumption of oil and natural gas has doubled and tripled respectively, over the last decade. The diversification of the economy faces concerns about future energy security as conventional fossil fuel resources dwindle and its young population continues to grow rapidly. Oman faces the challenge of harmonizing its aspirations for rapid economic growth with a pressing need to address low-carbon, climate-resilient development. Internationally, Oman has voluntarily agreed to reduce GHG emissions 2% by 2030. The diversifications of the economy away from hydrocarbons requires an ambitious plan to diversify Oman’s energy mix while driving economic growth and technological innovation. Specifically, this paper focuses on providing an objective strategic pathways and regulatory choices that can serve as a starting point for policy makers when discussing how best to achieve GHG emission reductions in Oman. This study intentionally focus on the energy sector, the sector responsible for the largest share of GHG emissions in Oman.

Highlights

Addressing climate change mitigation in developing countries with oil based economy poses complex challenges of cost, policy and economic security
Oman faces the challenge of harmonizing its aspirations for rapid economic growth with a pressing need to address low-carbon, climate-resilient development
The main objective of this paper is to provide an objective strategic pathways and regulatory choices, that can serve as a starting point for policy makers when discussing how best to achieve GHG emission reductions in Oman

Summary

Introduction

Addressing climate change mitigation in developing countries with oil based economy poses complex challenges of cost, policy and economic security. Another set of challenges is rooted in difficulties on addressing climate change risks, disasters, and resilience and adaptation pathways. The sultanate of Oman is a member of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which holds 40% of the wold’s proven oil reserves and 24% of the wold proven gas reserves. Few academic studies have been published about transition to low carbon economy in each GCC countries individually. Four of the GCC countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

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