Oman Achieves Significant Improvement in 2024 Environmental Performance Index
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman has secured a notable position in the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), ranking second among GCC states and second in the Middle East. This achievement was unveiled by the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University in the United States.
Oman advanced 99 places from its previous position, scoring 51.9 points out of 100 in the EPI. This remarkable progress places Oman in the 50th position globally, a significant rise from the 149th position in 2022 among 180 countries. This improvement is expected to positively impact various development sectors, particularly economic sectors.
The EPI primarily focuses on the vitality of ecosystems, measuring how effectively countries preserve, protect, and enhance their ecosystems and the services they provide. This aspect constitutes 42 percent of the total index score, covering six categories: habitat and biodiversity, ecosystem services, fishing areas, acidic rains, agriculture, and water resources.
Additionally, the index evaluates the implementation of environmental health policy objectives aimed at protecting populations from environmental health risks. This dimension accounts for 20 percent of the total score and includes four segments: air quality, drinking water and sanitation, heavy metals, and waste management.
Oman, represented by the Environment Authority and other relevant bodies, has taken significant steps to achieve the standards set for the “quality of ecosystems” pillar, which focuses on the protection and optimal management of biodiversity. This pillar comprises about 42 percent of the total weight of sub-indices.
The issuance of Royal decrees announcing new natural reserves has had a substantial impact on Oman’s EPI rating. As a result, the total number of reserves in the Sultanate has increased to approximately 30, with over 25 sites dedicated to biodiversity.
The Environment Authority has also made efforts to effectively manage nature reserves, providing specialized staff, infrastructure, and means of relocation that have helped eliminate more than one million alien and invasive birds. Furthermore, the Authority has endorsed initiatives to rehabilitate and protect threatened species, achieve land reclamation, and combat desertification.
This significant advancement in the EPI reflects Oman’s commitment to environmental sustainability and positions the Sultanate as a leader in ecosystem vitality and environmental health in the region.
