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Green banking: the case of commercial banking sector in Oman

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Abstract

This paper aims at examining the current environmental status of commercial banks in Oman. In particular, the research attempts to identify initiatives that Omani banks undertake to reduce their carbon footprints and the drivers that influence these banks to act environmentally. To achieve these objectives, we have interviewed 22 randomly selected individuals with varied positions from managing director to branch manager using a semi-structured questionnaire. The interview reveals some important findings: (1) Banks' environmental initiatives that reflect on their day-to-day activities are confined merely to recycling and reduced consumption of paper and energy, (2) although most banks think that eco-projects can be effectively implemented through the banking system, this opportunity remains largely untapped so far (3) most banks recognize the need for separate guidelines issued by the central banks for environmental initiatives and disclosure. The result of this research will help policymakers formulate appropriate environment regulatory policies required for mitigating carbon footprint in Oman.

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Fig. 1

Source: World Bank (GHG emission), and Global Footprint Network (Ecological footprint)

Fig. 2

Source: World Bank (Online version). Note: Data for KSA and Kuwait are not available

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and Finance, University of Nizwa, Birkat Al-Mawz, Nizwa, Oman

    Mohammad Dulal Miah

  2. Faculty of Business Administration, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Kuraitoli, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Syed Mahbubur Rahman

  3. International Institute for Ecological Negotiation (INNÉ), 110, Chemin de I’Orme, 06130, Grasse, France

    Syed Mahbubur Rahman

  4. BRAC Business School, BRAC University, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Mahreen Mamoon

Authors
  1. Mohammad Dulal Miah
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  2. Syed Mahbubur Rahman
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  3. Mahreen Mamoon
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Correspondence to Mohammad Dulal Miah.

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Appendix

Appendix

1.1 Part A

figure a

1.2 Part B (please describe in detail):

  1. 1.

    Do you think that day-to-day activities of banking sector in Oman address climate change and environment in any extent?

  2. 2.

    How do you assess the institutional capacities of the banking sector to address climate change and environment?

  3. 3.

    While sanctioning loan, are there any criteria that directly or indirectly ensure pro-environmental performance of the loan seeker/receiver?

  4. 4.

    What is the level and frequency of firms in dissemination of environmental activities initiated and implemented by them?

  5. 5.

    How do you compare environmental performance of banking sector with other industries?

  6. 6.

    How do the firms become motivated or self-driven to act environment friendly for banking operation?

  7. 7.

    What is the role of the Central Bank and government in making an effort for banking sector to ensure pro-environmental activities?

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Miah, M.D., Rahman, S.M. & Mamoon, M. Green banking: the case of commercial banking sector in Oman. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 2681–2697 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00695-0

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