Environmental protection concerns have increased along with development in the Sultanate of Oman to ensure sustainable development. In 1982, therefore, the country enacted and implemented the use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), to ensure environmental protection and pollution control. This research aims to answer the question ‘how does the quality of environmental impacts assessment system affect decision-making in the Sultanate of Oman?’ This was answered by adopting thorough research methodology that included the evaluation of EIA report (EIR) quality, and the evaluation of the EIA process through interviews conducted with regulators from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA). The quality of the EIA system makes a significant contribution to decision-making in MECA. A number of factors that influence the quality of the EIA system in Oman, include the quality of the EIA process, capacity building, the quality of consultants, and the knowledge of proponents. Strengths found in the EIA process include mitigation measures, environmental management planning, and emergency planning and climate change considerations. On the other hand shortcomings were found in the areas of screening, scoping, alternative considerations, impact assessment and public participation. A set of recommendations for enhancing and improving the process are presented in this dissertation. Finally, some recommendations are made for future research in order to explore the EIA system in Oman further.

Environmental protection concerns have increased along with development in the Sultanate of Oman to ensure sustainable development. In 1982, therefore, the country enacted and implemented the use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), to ensure environmental protection and pollution control....