Environment Society of Oman launches green campus sustainability campaign

OMAN – The Environment Society of Oman (ESO), in partnership with National Finance and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MoHERI), has launched a groundbreaking initiative to promote sustainability in higher education institutions.

This campaign aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and the nation’s carbon neutrality goals for 2050.

The initiative focuses on zero-neutrality and invites environmental clubs within universities and colleges to develop actionable projects across six key areas: waste reduction and recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, carbon offsetting, sustainable agriculture, and environmental awareness and policymaking.

Dr. Maryam Al Nabhani, Director General of Private Universities and Colleges at MoHERI, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in achieving the Ministry’s sustainability objectives.

“Our goal is to transform university campuses into green, smart, and sustainable spaces, in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the net-zero commitment,” she said.

“These competitions add value to higher education by raising awareness of environmental challenges and encouraging innovative solutions that promote sustainable development,” she added.

Empowering youth for environmental leadership

The Green Campus Competition aims to foster leadership in environmental conservation by engaging students, faculty, staff, and local communities in sustainability efforts.

Through the initiative, environmental clubs will spearhead awareness campaigns and implement sustainable campus practices, driving an eco-conscious culture.

HH Sayyidah Wissam bint Jaifer Al Said, Assistant General Manager of Marketing and Sustainability at National Finance, highlighted the role of youth in shaping a sustainable future.

“At National Finance, we believe in the transformative power of youth to safeguard our planet. The Green Campus Initiative raises awareness of environmental challenges and inspires young people to take meaningful action,” she said.

She added that the company’s support of this initiative reaffirms its commitment to ESG principles and its dedication to fostering a sustainable and resilient economy.

Competition framework and goals

The six-month Green Campus 2024 competition, launching this month, follows a structured approach divided into four key stages.

The first stage focuses on the Formation and Registration of environmental clubs within participating institutions.

During this phase, clubs must submit a comprehensive sustainability assessment outlining their current environmental impact and proposing actionable plans to address identified challenges.

In the second stage, known as Selection, the competition committee will evaluate all submitted plans. Only the most viable and innovative proposals will advance, ensuring that the selected teams have the potential to make significant sustainability improvements.

Once selected, teams will enter the Implementation phase, where they put their action plans into practice.

This stage involves executing various initiatives that target key sustainability areas, such as waste management, energy efficiency, and water conservation.

The final stage, Final Presentation, will see fifteen teams qualify to compete for the coveted “Green Campus” award.

These teams will showcase their achievements through visual presentations at an awards ceremony in Muscat. The presentations will highlight the impact of their projects and their contributions to promoting sustainability within their institutions and communities.

The competition seeks to reduce academic institutions’ carbon footprint, foster a culture of sustainability, and develop leadership and innovation skills.

It also aims to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing between universities and the broader community, ensuring that sustainability practices extend beyond campuses.

Jawaher Al Ghafri, Education Coordinator at ESO, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative.

“The Green Campus Competition extends beyond the university by encouraging sustainable practices that engage and educate the community,” she said.

“Through these projects, we aim to foster a deeper culture of sustainability and inspire society to adopt eco-friendly practices.”

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