Oman’s Green Horizon: Steering Towards Sustainability Through Decarbonization and Energy Transition

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper explores the determinants of CO2 emissions in Oman from 1990 to 2022, focusing on the impacts of energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, financial development, and foreign direct investment. To enhance the paper, consider the following suggestions:

1. The abstract needs to explicitly state the theoretical reasoning behind the use of methods like stepwise regression, robust least squares, Fully Modified Least Squares, and Canonical Cointegrating Regression.

2. The rationale for selecting data on emissions in Oman from 1990 to 2022 should be clarified, including whether the methodology is transferable to other sectors or regions.

3. A primary flowchart detailing the data preprocessing steps should be included in the "Model, Data, and Econometric Strategy" section.

4. The indicators in Table 7, which presents the robustness test results, should be introduced, along with an explanation of how they demonstrate data robustness.

5. The concept of "Diagnostic probes" in the diagnostic test results should be clarified, and the possibility of incorporating more extensive statistical analyses should be considered.

6. The conclusion should address the implications of the methodology for shaping sustainable development policies.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

For research article

 

Oman's Green Horizon: Steering Towards Sustainability through Decarbonization and Energy transition.

 

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments
1. Summary
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. I greatly appreciate your efforts. Below, you will find detailed responses, along with the corresponding revisions and corrections, which are highlighted in red in the resubmitted files.   2. Point-by-point response to Comments of the reviewer
Comments 1: [Paste the full reviewer comment here.]

Reviewer 1

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper explores the determinants of CO₂ emissions in Oman from 1990 to 2022, focusing on the impacts of energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, financial development, and foreign direct investment. To enhance the paper, consider the following suggestions:

Comment 1: The abstract needs to explicitly state the theoretical reasoning behind the use of methods like stepwise regression, robust least squares, Fully Modified Least Squares, and Canonical Cointegrating Regression.

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable suggestion. I have carefully considered your feedback and revised the abstract to clearly outline the theoretical reasoning behind the use of methods such as stepwise regression, robust least squares, Fully Modified Least Squares, and Canonical Cointegrating Regression. These methods were specifically chosen for their effectiveness in addressing issues such as multicollinearity, outliers, and non-stationarity in time series data, which are crucial for obtaining robust and reliable estimates when analyzing CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, and economic growth. (Please refer to the updated abstract.)

Comment 2: The rationale for selecting data on emissions in Oman from 1990 to 2022 should be clarified, including whether the methodology is transferable to other sectors or regions.

Response 2: Thank you for your insightful comment. The rationale for selecting data on emissions in Oman from 1990 to 2022 is based on the availability of reliable and comprehensive data during this period, which reflects key developments in Oman’s economy. This timeframe is particularly relevant as it coincides with the country’s economic diversification efforts and its gradual shift away from oil dependency. As a result, it offers a valuable context for analyzing the interactions between CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, and economic growth. (This paragraph has been inserted on Page 3, lines 52-58)

While the methodology is tailored to Oman’s context, it is transferable to other sectors or regions with similar characteristics, provided relevant data is available. The econometric techniques used, such as stepwise regression and cointegration tests, are widely applicable across different contexts where long-term relationships and the impact of variables like energy consumption and economic growth on emissions are being analyzed.

Comment 3: A primary flowchart detailing the data preprocessing steps should be included in the "Model, Data, and Econometric Strategy" section.

Response 3: The flow chart has been inserted into the text on page 11.

Comment 4: The indicators in Table 7, which presents the robustness test results, should be introduced, along with an explanation of how they demonstrate data robustness.

Response 4: Thank you for your suggestion. I have updated Table 7 on page 14 to include three additional robustness tests: Stepwise Regression (STWR), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR). These tests offer a more comprehensive evaluation of the model’s robustness by assessing the consistency of the results under different econometric methods. Each test enhances the understanding of the model's reliability and its ability to provide accurate estimates across varying conditions.

Comment 5: The concept of "Diagnostic probes" in the diagnostic test results should be clarified, and the possibility of incorporating more extensive statistical analyses should be considered.

Response 5: Thank you for your insightful feedback. The concept of "Diagnostic probes" has been clarified and incorporated into the relevant section (page 16. Line 622-626)

Comment 6: The conclusion should address the implications of the methodology for shaping sustainable development policies.

Response 6: Thank you for your valuable feedback. I have addressed the points regarding the implications of the methodology for shaping sustainable development policies in the conclusion on page 20. The revised conclusion now highlights how the robust econometric methods used in the study inform key policy areas, including energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable urbanization. It also discusses the need for targeted green financing initiatives and the role of financial policies in promoting low-carbon technologies. These additions emphasize the study's relevance in guiding Oman’s transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Comment 7: Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

I have reviewed and made the necessary minor corrections to the English language in the manuscript. The text has been edited for clarity and readability, ensuring the flow and structure remain intact.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Authors,

I’ve read your manuscript with great interest and pleasure. This is an example of a well-thought and properly organized work, which addresses an internationally important research question of energy sustainability in application to a properly chosen example (a large developed country of the Middle East). I appreciate the detailed explanation of the methodology, the perfect correspondence of the methodology and the results, the additional test of the model, and the important interpretations. The work is informative and bears enough number of tables and literature citations. The practical importance of the study is articulated as necessary. Generally, I like this manuscript, and I have several suggestions.

1)      Key words: please, do not duplicate the words form the title.

2)      Section 2: you have to state directly how you understand energy transition in Oman. What does this mean in fact? What are the indicators of this transition?

3)      Figs. 1 and 2: these are not maps! These are graphs.

4)      Line 217: please, explain symbols from this equation.

5)      Discussion: I recommend you to compare your findings to what is known from some other countries. In this section, you can also write about the relevance of your findings to the general (not only national) issues of sustainability and UN SDGs.

6)      Discussion: I’ve heard that Oman aims at development of tourism. But tourism is a significant producer of CO2 emission. Why not to consider this?

7)      Conclusion: what are the limitations of your study?

8)      The writing is perfect. What I wish to turn your attention to is a structure (especially in the first half of the work). If you split any section into subsections, ALL text blocks should be attributed to any subsection. “Hanging” texts like in the beginning of Introduction should be avoided. Additionally, please, note that it is reasonable to specify any subsection, only if this includes two and more paragraphs. Also, please, check punctuation (e.g., see Line 216).

Comments on the Quality of English Language

To me, the English is of acceptable quality.

Author Response

For research article

 

Oman's Green Horizon: Steering Towards Sustainability through Decarbonization and Energy transition.

 

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
1. Summary
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. I greatly appreciate your efforts. Below, you will find detailed responses, along with the corresponding revisions and corrections, which are highlighted in red in the resubmitted files.   2. Point-by-point response to Comments of the reviewer

Reviewer 2

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Authors,

I’ve read your manuscript with great interest and pleasure. This is an example of a well-thought and properly organized work, which addresses an internationally important research question of energy sustainability in application to a properly chosen example (a large, developed country of the Middle East). I appreciate the detailed explanation of the methodology, the perfect correspondence of the methodology and the results, the additional test of the model, and the important interpretations. The work is informative and bears enough number of tables and literature citations. The practical importance of the study is articulated as necessary. Generally, I like this manuscript, and I have several suggestions.

Response: Thank you very much for your thoughtful and positive feedback on my manuscript. I truly appreciate your kind words and the recognition of the effort that went into addressing such an important research question on energy sustainability. I’m glad that you found the methodology, interpretations, and practical importance of the study well-articulated. Your comments are encouraging and invaluable as I continue to refine the manuscript.

I look forward to addressing your suggestions to further improve the work.

 

Comment 1: Key words: please, do not duplicate the words from the title.

Response 1: Thank you for your valuable suggestion. The alternative keywords have been updated and inserted as follows: Carbon Emissions, Renewable Energy, Economic Growth, Urbanization, Cointegration (See P. 1, line 31)

 

Comment 2: Section 2: you have to state directly how you understand energy transition in Oman. What does this mean in fact? What are the indicators of this transition?

Response 2: The concept of energy transition in Oman has been clarified and inserted into Section 2, on page 23, lines 119-130, as per your recommendation. Thank you for your insightful comment.

Comment 3: Figs. 1 and 2: these are not maps! These are graphs.

Response 3: Response: Thank you for your observation. I have corrected the issue. Figure 1 is now labeled as "Solar Potential in Oman and GHI Variation," and Figure 2 as "Wind Potential in Oman and Average Wind Speed." These corrections have been made to accurately reflect the content of the figures. ( Note fig 1 and 2 becomes Figs. 2 & 3)

Comment 4: Line 217: please, explain symbols from this equation.

Response 4: Thank you for your comment. An explanation of the symbols in the equation has been provided. Please refer to page 6, lines 249-258, where the symbols are clarified in detail.

Comment 5: Discussion: I recommend you compare your findings to what is known from some other countries. In this section, you can also write about the relevance of your findings to the general (not only national) issues of sustainability and UN SDGs.

Response 5: Thank you for your valuable feedback. I have addressed your suggestion by adding a comparison of the findings with those from other countries and discussing their relevance to global sustainability efforts and the UN SDGs. These additions have been incorporated into the conclusion section on page 18 - 19. The discussion now highlights the broader implications of the study, drawing parallels with India, China, and Brazil, and emphasizing the alignment of the findings with global sustainability challenges and goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Comment 6: Discussion: I’ve heard that Oman aims at development of tourism. But tourism is a significant producer of CO2 emission. Why not consider this?

Response 6: Tourism was not included in the model because the study focuses on long-term, significant drivers of CO₂ emissions in Oman, such as energy consumption, economic growth, and urbanization, which have a more substantial impact on emissions than the relatively smaller tourism sector. While tourism does contribute to CO₂ emissions, especially through air travel and transportation, it currently represents a minor portion of Oman's economy and emissions profile compared to these core sectors. Additionally, Oman is promoting sustainable tourism practices, which aim to mitigate environmental impacts, aligning with national sustainability goals. Future research could explore the tourism sector's impact as it grows, but the present study prioritized sectors with larger, more immediate effects on emissions to provide clearer policy insights.

 Comment 7: Conclusion: what are the limitations of your study?

Response 7: Response: Thank you for your insightful question. The limitations of the study have been incorporated in the conclusion section on page 19.

Comment 8: The writing is perfect. What I wish to turn your attention to is the structure (especially in the first half of the work). If you split any section into subsections, ALL text blocks should be attributed to any subsection. “Hanging” texts like in the beginning of Introduction should be avoided. Additionally, please, note that it is reasonable to specify any subsection, only if this includes two and more paragraphs. Also, please, check punctuation (e.g., see Line 216).

Response 8: Thank you for your valuable feedback. The issue has been addressed by restructuring the sections, the punctuation has been carefully reviewed and corrected, including the correction on Line 216.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

To me, the English is of acceptable quality.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. Based on the literature provided at the website https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9963693, explain this paper's contribution to the important fields of agriculture and energy in terms of carbon emissions. Also, describe what different insights your paper offers compared to the literature that can be applied to agriculture and energy. Additionally, suggest adding a new section for a detailed discussion.

 

2. The data from 2022 to 2024 needs to be supplemented, especially the data for 2022-2023, which must be included.

 

3. There are only 44 references, and some are from as early as 1992. There is a lack of research on the latest findings from 2023-2024.

 

4. How can the research findings of this paper be applied, where can they be applied, and by whom, in order to reduce carbon emissions?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Extensive editing of English language required.

Author Response

For research article

 

Oman's Green Horizon: Steering Towards Sustainability through Decarbonization and Energy transition.

 

Response to Reviewer 3 Comments
1. Summary
Thank you for taking the time to review this manuscript. I greatly appreciate your efforts. Below, you will find detailed responses, along with the corresponding revisions and corrections, which are highlighted in red in the resubmitted files.   2. Point-by-point response to Comments of the reviewer

Reviewer 3

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comment 1: Based on the literature provided at the website https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9963693, explain this paper's contribution to the important fields of agriculture and energy in terms of carbon emissions. Also, describe what different insights your paper offers compared to the literature that can be applied to agriculture and energy. Additionally, suggest adding a new section for a detailed discussion.

Response 1: The paper "Collaborative Optimization of PV Greenhouses and Clean Energy Systems in Rural Areas" contributes significantly to the fields of agriculture and energy, particularly in reducing carbon emissions. It presents an innovative method to optimize the integration of photovoltaic (PV) greenhouses with rural energy systems, balancing the need for crop photosynthesis, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. By using a combined model of agriculture and energy networks, the paper shows how adjusting PV coverage on greenhouse roofs can lead to energy savings (up to 15% on a cold winter day) and substantial reductions in carbon emissions. This work is highly relevant to sustainable agriculture and energy practices, particularly for rural areas aiming to meet carbon neutrality goals.

In comparison, our paper offers different insights that can be applied to agriculture and energy by focusing on broader economic variables such as financial development and FDI, which influence CO₂ emissions in sectors like agriculture and energy. While the discussed paper mainly centers on technical optimization within specific rural systems, your work could explore how macroeconomic factors and financial policies can drive carbon reduction across larger sectors, including agriculture and energy.

Comments 2:  The data from 2022 to 2024 needs to be supplemented, especially the data for 2022-2023, which must be included.

Response 2: During the writing of the paper, the available data covered only up to 2022. Repeating the entire econometric analysis to include data from 2023 would be a complex and time-consuming process. However, I can include some additional graphs to reflect trends up to 2023, which will help illustrate the developments during this period without requiring a full reanalysis of the data. This will still provide valuable insights while maintaining the integrity of the existing analysis. (See Figure 1& 4)

 Comments 3: There are only 44 references, and some are from as early as 1992. There is a lack of research on the latest findings from 2023-2024.

Response 3: Thank you for your valuable observation. In response, new references covering the years 2022, 2023, and 2024 have been added to ensure the inclusion of the latest research findings. 

Comments 3: How can the research findings of this paper be applied, where can they be applied, and by whom, in order to reduce carbon emissions?

Response 3: The research findings of this paper can be applied in several key areas to help reduce carbon emissions:

1. Policy Development: Policymakers, especially in Oman and other GCC countries, can use these insights to shape regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This includes establishing energy efficiency standards, offering incentives for renewable energy adoption, and enforcing stricter regulations on high-emission industries.
2. Urban Planning and Sustainable Development: Urban planners and local authorities can apply the research on the relationship between urbanization and CO2 emissions to promote sustainable city growth. Initiatives such as green infrastructure, improved public transport systems, and energy-efficient building designs can reduce cities' carbon footprints.
3. Energy Sector Investment: Energy companies and investors can use these findings to guide investment decisions, prioritizing renewable energy projects like solar, wind, and hydrogen. Shifting away from fossil fuels and focusing on cleaner energy sources can significantly contribute to decarbonization.
4. Financial Sector and Green Financing: Financial institutions can promote carbon reduction by offering green financing options, such as green bonds or loans for renewable energy initiatives. Banks and other financial entities can support investments that align with sustainability and carbon reduction goals, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Extensive editing of English language required.

Thank you for your observation. The English language throughout the manuscript has been thoroughly checked and edited accordingly.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The revised version of the data does not include the latest 2024 data, which, as a review article, fails to reflect the most recent research and trends.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English is very difficult to understand/incomprehensible.

Author Response

Reviewer 3

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments 2:  The data from 2022 to 2024 needs to be supplemented, especially the data for 2022-2023, which must be included.

Response 2: Thank you for your comment. The data has been expanded to cover the period through 2024, including the necessary data for 2022-2023. This updated dataset ensures the analysis remains current and comprehensive, incorporating the most recent trends and developments.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Extensive editing of English language required.

Thank you for your feedback. The English language in the document has been thoroughly checked, and comprehensive proofreading has been completed to ensure clarity, coherence, and proper grammar throughout.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf