Beyond the parking lot... reflections from Oman Sustainability Week

Observer

14-05-2025

When I arrived at Oman Sustainability Week, I was ready to dive straight in. Instead, I found myself trapped in loops around a packed parking lot. My coffee cooled as frustration grew. By the time I parked, my panel had already begun. It was a minor inconvenience, but it felt oddly symbolic. Real sustainability isn't just about what happens inside exhibition halls; it begins with the choices we make long before the event itself. Perhaps next year we might consider carpooling, shuttles, or even park-and-ride schemes to reflect the commitments we discuss on stage.
Inside, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre overflowed with ambition, but also contradictions. For the first time, the Petroleum and Energy Show and Sustainability Week shared the same space. Two worlds merged into one, yet I overheard whispers in the corridors. 'The oil show and sustainability; what exactly are we selling here?' This quiet exchange stuck with me. Simply gathering under one roof doesn't mean our messages are unified. Without clear framing and sincerity, even the most genuine intentions risk being misunderstood.
Later, I spoke with a sustainability director preparing to present their firm's sustainability initiatives. 'How do you feel about your message?' I asked. They hesitated before responding, 'I need more than glossy brochures to convince our shareholders and the public. They want measurable progress.' Their candour underscored a deeper truth. Trust comes from transparency, not clever branding alone. Just around the corner, I found a different atmosphere entirely. Full-scale Swiss and Italian delegations confidently engaged visitors, openly inviting scrutiny and sharing measurable targets. Their presence sent an encouraging signal. Actively participating in sustainability conversations, rather than cautiously observing, builds credibility far quicker.
This contrast between cautious hesitation and bold transparency lies at the heart of our sustainability journey. It reflects a question each of us must confront: Are we comfortable enough to openly share both our successes and our uncertainties?
Oman Sustainability Week embodied our national ambition, aligning closely with Oman Vision 2040's promise of diversification, transparency and accountable governance. Workshops delved into circular economy practices, while open-data initiatives like Makman, Oman's new national platform providing public access to comprehensive upstream oil and gas sector data, demonstrated a clear shift towards greater transparency, empowering decision-makers and citizens alike.
Yet, as energising as the announcements and innovations were, the true measure of sustainability isn't found in the moment of applause. It lies in what happens next. Will the ambitious memoranda we celebrated evolve into solar farms lighting homes in rural Oman? Will Makman's open data genuinely shape public understanding and drive accountability? Can pilot transport schemes, hinted at during the week, become everyday realities?
Here's the reflection I want to share openly: Sustainability is more than headlines and handshakes. It begins with transparent commitments and visible accountability. It is about tracking our progress honestly, holding each other accountable and ensuring the momentum generated inside these halls translates to everyday practice.
Next year, I hope our first challenge won't be finding a parking space but instead deciding on the most sustainable way to arrive. Because true sustainability isn't about what we announce. It's about what we choose, every single day.
The writer is an Omani environmental strategist and advocate for sustainable development, focusing on climate change impacts in the Middle East and women's empowerment in environmental solutions.
Rumaitha al Busaidi
The writer is environmental strategist and advocate for sustainable development