Muscat: The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) issued Decision 2024/35 establishing the Oman Center for Zero Neutrality (OCZN)

The competencies of the Oman Center for Zero Neutrality (OCZN) will include the preparation and updating of the national plan for the transition to zero neutrality in coordination with the relevant authorities and the approval of necessary programs and executive plans in various sectors.

This will include monitoring the implementation of projects and initiatives that support the achievement of the objectives of the national plan for the organized transition towards zero neutrality, in cooperation with the competent authorities and institutions, and striving to address challenges and submit periodic reports on them.

The OZCN will provide support and guidance to relevant entities and institutions to achieve carbon neutrality goals, including reducing carbon emissions and increasing the efficiency of energy use.

It will monitor and adopt the latest global practices, technologies and innovations, and strive to transfer and localize them in the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to preparing and updating the national plan to increase energy efficiency , following its implementation in various sectors. assess energy consumption levels in approved projects, propose necessary updates in coordination with the relevant authorities and submit periodic reports thereon.

It will strengthen scientific research, studies and innovation, develop national skills in the areas of zero neutrality and energy efficiency, and raise awareness among individuals and institutions in line with the strategic objectives of zero neutrality and energy efficiency .

The center will be responsible for managing applications for carbon, hydrogen and low carbon product certificates, from review and audit, to issuance and coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the Energy Authority. environment before issuing and approving them.

It will approve and defer applications for trading carbon certificates locally and coordinate this internationally following approval from the Ministry of Finance and the Environment Authority, under the current carbon credit framework.

The OZCN will manage all procedures for inventorying and updating carbon emissions from their different sources and will store them in a platform dedicated to this purpose, and will defer and facilitate access to the data stored in the platform for employees of the Environment Authority and the parties concerned, each according to their specialization and level of authority, while preserving the confidentiality and accuracy of the stored data.

He carries out all other tasks entrusted to the center by the supervisory committee, within the framework of his competence.