Overview
The Yale Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks 180 countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality using 40 performance indicators across 11 issue categories. These include air quality, water and sanitation, heavy metals, waste management, biodiversity, ecosystem services, fisheries, climate change mitigation, pollution emissions, agriculture, and water resources. It provides a data-driven assessment of sustainability efforts.
Oman’s Position
Oman typically ranks in the lower-middle range on the EPI, usually between 90th and 120th globally. The Sultanate faces inherent environmental challenges: arid climate, water scarcity, high per-capita carbon emissions linked to hydrocarbon production, and energy-intensive desalination requirements. Positive scores come from waste management improvements, protected area designation (including turtle nesting sites and the Arabian Oryx sanctuary), and relatively low industrial pollution outside the oil sector.
Regional Comparison
All GCC nations face similar structural challenges on environmental performance, with high carbon intensity and water stress. The UAE has invested most aggressively in renewable energy (Masdar, Barakah nuclear plant) and scores higher on climate change metrics. Saudi Arabia’s massive afforestation pledges under the Saudi Green Initiative are ambitious but early-stage. Kuwait and Qatar face comparable challenges to Oman. Bahrain’s small size limits both its environmental footprint and its mitigation options.
Trajectory
Oman’s environmental trajectory is shaped by its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and its green hydrogen strategy. The Oman Green Hydrogen project at Duqm, renewable energy targets under the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, and ratification of the Paris Agreement signal intent. However, translating ambitions into EPI score improvements requires measurable reductions in carbon intensity, expanded renewable capacity, and strengthened biodiversity protections.