Oman Ranks 2nd in GCC on Environmental Performance Index

The Sultanate also clinched the same position in the Middle East for 2024.

Publish date: Tuesday، 04 June 2024

Oman Ranks 2nd in GCC on Environmental Performance Index

The Sultanate of Oman has achieved a remarkable feat in environmental stewardship, ranking second among GCC nations and clinching the same position in the Middle East according to the 2024 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), released by the Centre for Environmental Law and Policy at Yale University in the United States.

Oman's ascent is notable, leaping 99 places from its previous standing. With a commendable score of 51.9 out of 100, Oman now occupies the 50th position globally, a significant improvement from its 149th rank in 2022 among 180 countries. This advancement bodes well for various development sectors, particularly the economy.

The EPI evaluates countries' success in preserving, protecting, and enhancing ecosystems, along with the services they provide. It assesses ecosystem vitality, accounting for 42% of the total score, covering habitat and biodiversity, ecosystem services, fishing areas, acidic rains, agriculture, and water resources.

Moreover, the index measures countries' implementation of environmental health policies to protect populations from environmental risks, comprising 20% of the total index score. It assesses air quality, drinking water and sanitation, heavy metals, and waste management.

Oman's progress in the "quality of ecosystems" pillar, crucial for biodiversity protection and management, has been commendable. The establishment of new natural reserves through Royal decrees has significantly bolstered Oman's environmental rating, increasing the number of reserves to about 30 and biodiversity-focused sites to over 25.

Efforts by the Environment Authority and relevant bodies to manage nature reserves, eliminate invasive species, and implement initiatives for habitat rehabilitation underscore Oman's commitment to environmental sustainability.

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Oman Ranks 2nd in GCC on Environmental Performance Index

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