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17 August 2016
Muscat - Oman, ranked 13 on the global index of the world's highest carbon emitters per capita, needs to do more to accelerate its transition from a current reliance on conventional fuels to renewable energy resources, according to an Omani researcher.
Hilal al Shidi, a scientist at Sultan Qaboos University's (SQU) Department of Biology, stressed the need for comprehensive policies underpinned by a strong regulatory framework if the pursuit of renewables is to gain traction.
Oman and fellow member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc also have an obligation to reduce greenhouses gases in line with their commitments under the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), he noted.
His comments are set out in a scientific paper, titled 'Shifting to Renewable Energy to Mitigate Carbon Emissions: Initiatives by the States of Gulf Cooperation Council', which he co-authored with Hameed Sulaiman and Patrick Amoatey.
According to the paper, oil and gas consumptions levels in the GCC are among the highest in the world, as demonstrated by a 2013 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Galloping electricity demand growth in the GCC is another factor, according to the paper. Power demand grew at an average annual rate of 3.15 per cent during the 2005 -- 2009 timeframe, which was significantly higher that the world average of 2.2 per cent for the same period. Average per capita electricity consumption in the GCC region 10,976 kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2009, which was 3.9 times higher than the world average of 2806 kWh, it noted.
"Development of renewable energy technologies is now globally accepted as a crucial component of providing an integrated solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fostering innovation and providing access to secure, clean and affordable energy. Though, all the GCC countries have ratified the International Renewable Energy Statute of increasing the share of renewables in their energy grids, there is considerable variation in the adoption of renewable energy technologies; While others are actively engaged in the development of renewable energy, other countries appear to be lagging behind," the paper pointed out.
Al Shidi and his colleagues also lamented the GCC bloc's ranking as one of "the top per capita contributors to global pollution". Although home to only 0.6 per cent of the world's population, the region accounts for 2.4 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Energy intensities, CO2 emissions per gross domestic product (GDP) and CO2 emissions per capita in the GCC countries are higher than the European Union and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to the International Energy Agency, all six GCC countries fall in the top 25 countries responsible for the highest per capita CO2 emissions," the paper noted.
Worryingly, Oman and the rest of the GCC bloc are also placed in the 'high risk' category for countries that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, says Al Shidi. "The social, economic and ecological impacts of climate change are expected to be higher in GCC countries than in the rest of the world. GCC countries will be confronted with multiple climate change challenges such as desertification, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, and sea level rise."
The paper concluded with a plea for clean energy and sustainable development policies that can help mitigate against climate change scenarios predicted for the GCC region.
Muscat - Oman, ranked 13 on the global index of the world's highest carbon emitters per capita, needs to do more to accelerate its transition from a current reliance on conventional fuels to renewable energy resources, according to an Omani researcher.
Hilal al Shidi, a scientist at Sultan Qaboos University's (SQU) Department of Biology, stressed the need for comprehensive policies underpinned by a strong regulatory framework if the pursuit of renewables is to gain traction.
Oman and fellow member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc also have an obligation to reduce greenhouses gases in line with their commitments under the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), he noted.
His comments are set out in a scientific paper, titled 'Shifting to Renewable Energy to Mitigate Carbon Emissions: Initiatives by the States of Gulf Cooperation Council', which he co-authored with Hameed Sulaiman and Patrick Amoatey.
According to the paper, oil and gas consumptions levels in the GCC are among the highest in the world, as demonstrated by a 2013 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Galloping electricity demand growth in the GCC is another factor, according to the paper. Power demand grew at an average annual rate of 3.15 per cent during the 2005 -- 2009 timeframe, which was significantly higher that the world average of 2.2 per cent for the same period. Average per capita electricity consumption in the GCC region 10,976 kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2009, which was 3.9 times higher than the world average of 2806 kWh, it noted.
"Development of renewable energy technologies is now globally accepted as a crucial component of providing an integrated solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fostering innovation and providing access to secure, clean and affordable energy. Though, all the GCC countries have ratified the International Renewable Energy Statute of increasing the share of renewables in their energy grids, there is considerable variation in the adoption of renewable energy technologies; While others are actively engaged in the development of renewable energy, other countries appear to be lagging behind," the paper pointed out.
Al Shidi and his colleagues also lamented the GCC bloc's ranking as one of "the top per capita contributors to global pollution". Although home to only 0.6 per cent of the world's population, the region accounts for 2.4 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Energy intensities, CO2 emissions per gross domestic product (GDP) and CO2 emissions per capita in the GCC countries are higher than the European Union and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to the International Energy Agency, all six GCC countries fall in the top 25 countries responsible for the highest per capita CO2 emissions," the paper noted.
Worryingly, Oman and the rest of the GCC bloc are also placed in the 'high risk' category for countries that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, says Al Shidi. "The social, economic and ecological impacts of climate change are expected to be higher in GCC countries than in the rest of the world. GCC countries will be confronted with multiple climate change challenges such as desertification, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity, and sea level rise."
The paper concluded with a plea for clean energy and sustainable development policies that can help mitigate against climate change scenarios predicted for the GCC region.
© Oman Daily Observer 2016
