Kuwait is strengthening environmental sustainability as a core national development priority, with new policies and projects supporting Kuwait Vision 2035 and the country’s gradual transition towards a greener, lower-carbon economy.
The government has expanded its focus on renewable energy, environmental governance and sustainable resource management, while the Cabinet continues to oversee the implementation of the country’s long-term low-carbon development roadmap.
A key pillar of this effort is the Kuwait Low Carbon Strategy 2050, launched by the Environment Public Authority (EPA) in November 2023. The strategy supports Kuwait’s international climate commitments and its target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Kuwait is also working to diversify its energy mix through renewable power, increased use of natural gas and energy recovery from waste.
Renewable energy development is progressing through three main tracks. These include long-term projects such as Shagaya, short-term initiatives including Abdali, and smaller renewable energy systems required under the Energy Conservation Code.
The Shagaya renewable energy project, being implemented through the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects, consists of two phases with planned capacities of 1,100 megawatts and 500 megawatts respectively.
Kuwait aims to increase renewable energy to 50 percent of its energy mix by 2050. In parallel, the Energy Conservation Code requires facilities to generate renewable power equal to 10 percent of their electricity consumption.
Minister of State for Development and Sustainability Dr. Reem Al-Fulaij told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the country is developing an integrated institutional framework that connects sustainability policies with measurable programmes, governance systems, risk management and reliable data.
She said the Cabinet approved the Government Environmental Sustainability Reporting System in 2026, establishing Kuwait’s first unified government framework for measuring environmental performance through 14 national indicators.
The system is designed to create a national environmental database, strengthen monitoring, assess the impact of government initiatives and identify areas where additional improvements are needed.
Al-Fulaij added that the National Environmental Risk Register has identified eight major environmental risks and established response mechanisms in coordination with the relevant authorities.
During 2026, 36 environmental incidents were addressed across areas including air quality, marine pollution, hazardous materials and wastewater.
On climate policy, Kuwait has completed draft versions of its Third National Communication and first Biennial Transparency Report under the Paris Agreement. Nearly 100 participants have also received specialised training in climate negotiations.
Environmental protection efforts are continuing through the development of protected areas, restoration of natural habitats and marine conservation programmes. These include a national marine debris programme involving more than 20 entities.
Urban sustainability is also receiving increased attention. In 2026, the Cabinet approved 30 initiatives focused on greening and public spaces, bringing the total number approved since December 2024 to 64.
Dr. Hanan Al-Sarawi, head of the Sustainability Team and director of the Research, Studies and Strategic Planning Office at the EPA, said Kuwait is strengthening environmental performance through unified reporting and measurable indicators.
She explained that the reporting framework will track energy, water, fuel and paper consumption, along with waste management, recycling, green spaces, environmental training and public awareness programmes.
The programme is intended to shift sustainability from individual projects into a routine institutional practice focused on reducing resource use, waste generation and emissions.
Al-Sarawi said Kuwait’s governorates are also adopting the “Sustainable Governorate” environmental reporting initiative. Government entities are expected to begin preparing annual reports in early 2027, with formal submissions scheduled for 2028.
At the same time, the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries is working to expand vegetation cover through afforestation campaigns, drought-tolerant plants and vegetation barriers aimed at combating desertification and controlling moving sand dunes.
Kuwait is also developing natural reserves, additional green spaces and eco-tourism projects while strengthening cooperation with regional and international environmental organisations.
The country ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1995 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, and continues to participate in international climate and sustainability initiatives.
At the second Middle East Green Initiative Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022, Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to the initiative’s outcomes and to broader regional cooperation on climate action and environmental sustainability.
