Oman’s Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) has plans to use electric vehicles and e-scooters for postal delivery with the aim of reducing emissions and integrating green practices across the postal sector.
The plan as outlined in a public consultation document – Postal Sector Environmental Sustainability Initiatives – encompasses not just the deployment of renewable energy across offices, vehicles and touch points, but also promotes practices that will promote environmental leadership.
As per the officials, “There is need to offset the environmental impact caused by the heightened demand for postal and delivery services spurred by the rise of e-commerce. The increased use of commercial and private vehicle fleets for postal activities has inadvertently affected the environment, necessitating a shift towards more sustainable options.”
Speaking about its plans, TRA said that they have plans to contribute to achieving the Oman Vision 2040 Environmental pillar by implementing sustainability initiatives that focus on emission reduction, pollution control and energy conservation within postal operations.
To determine the effectiveness of the proposed initiatives align with practical needs and expectations of the industry, TRA has called for a public consultation. “The authority would like to publicly consult all relevant stakeholders – postal, courier companies, green vehicle suppliers, investors, consumers and any other relevant sector – on the proposed initiatives in this document and the potential for investment in sustainable services,” a statement said.
TRA is also taking feedback on the feasibility of implementing these green initiatives, besides setting reasonable targets and timelines for execution. Additionally, to boost up the awareness of these green initiatives, TRA plans to designate a ‘Green Post Day’ and develop staff awareness surrounding energy management.
