Over the past decades of its Renaissance, the Sultanate of Oman has placed great emphasis on conserving the environment and its vital natural resources. This is evident in its sustained efforts to safeguard ecosystems and biodiversity, which are regarded as strategic assets supporting comprehensive sustainable development plans. The Sultanate has continued to strengthen its legislative, regulatory, and institutional systems to ensure the responsible use of natural resources, the protection of terrestrial and marine wildlife, and the control of pollution in all its forms and sources. These efforts reflect a firm national conviction that environmental protection is a shared global responsibility that transcends borders.
The environment represents a core priority in the Sultanate of Oman’s social and economic development agenda. Preserving it helps minimise the economic costs arising from resource depletion, degradation, or waste. The sustainable and efficient use of natural resources is vital to supporting the national economy, ensuring its continuity, and enhancing its resilience and long-term growth. Moreover, protecting biodiversity and natural habitats contributes to advancing the tourism sector, particularly through the promotion and expansion of eco-tourism initiatives.
Environmental and natural resource priorities fall under the “Sustainable Environment” pillar of Oman Vision 2040, forming a cornerstone for achieving the goals of the environmental sector. This pillar is closely tied to environmental well-being through its focus on the sustainable utilisation of natural wealth, the transition to a green economy, the diversification of energy sources—particularly wind and solar power—ensuring food and water security, and promoting environmental awareness that guides society towards the responsible use of natural resources and the protection of every element of the ecosystem.
The Environment Authority is responsible for conserving the environment and ensuring the sustainability of its resources. It implements national environmental policies and supervises the enforcement of legislation aimed at safeguarding natural resources and biodiversity. The Authority seeks to achieve comprehensive environmental sustainability through initiatives that include protecting wildlife and biodiversity, controlling pollution in all its forms, and monitoring industrial and commercial activities to ensure compliance with environmental standards. It also promotes environmental awareness across all segments of society, encourages eco-friendly behaviour, and develops sustainable development plans that maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental protection. Furthermore, the Authority supports the transition to a green economy, works to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources, and continuously monitors and assesses environmental conditions through research and studies on human impact, with the aim of taking effective action to preserve environmental quality.
As part of its commitment to environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources, the Sultanate of Oman has designated 8 January each year as Oman Environment Day. Internationally, the Sultanate remains an active and influential participant in the global environmental community through its membership in numerous international environmental organisations and its adherence to global agreements with other nations.
The Sultanate of Oman has consistently sought to strengthen its presence in international and regional environmental forums by taking part in major global conferences. This commitment was notably affirmed in 1989 with the establishment of the UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize for Environmental Preservation—the first Arab prize to be awarded on a global scale. It reflects the Sultanate’s enduring contribution to raising international environmental awareness, fostering global partnerships in ecosystem conservation, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at enhancing the well-being and prosperity of people worldwide.
The Sultanate of Oman is blessed with exceptional biodiversity, encompassing plains, mountains, deserts, and seas that together support a rich variety of natural habitats across its governorates. This ecological wealth is reflected in the growing number of documented wildlife species, including numerous types of birds, mammals, sea turtles, marine mammals, terrestrial and marine reptiles, and rare trees and wild herbs. The Environment Authority has translated this biodiversity into a wide range of conservation projects and initiatives to protect, sustain, and manage the Sultanate’s natural resources responsibly.
Biodiversity centres across the Oman's governorates actively implement programmes for the rescue, rehabilitation, and breeding of wildlife species using modern scientific techniques and the expertise of Omani environmental specialists. These efforts include providing veterinary care, rehabilitating and releasing animals into their natural habitats, protecting and breeding endangered species, and caring for confiscated wild animals and birds.
The Sultanate of Oman’s wealth of animal, marine, and plant resources has fostered a variety of nature-based economic activities. Its biodiversity has also enhanced the country’s eco-tourism potential, as Oman hosts numerous sites of remarkable natural beauty and rich wildlife. These areas attract nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and wildlife observers, encompassing nature reserves, coastlines, lagoons, islands, and caves.