Kuwait City: The State of Kuwait has recently seen a series of collaborations between its public and private sectors aimed at addressing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.
According to Kuwait News Agency, these efforts align with international standards and reflect Kuwait's commitment to environmental protection.
Chemical engineer Narjes Al-Hawwaj from the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) highlighted the eagerness of industrial complexes to reduce their carbon footprints using advanced technologies and clean fuels. She noted that the state's industrial strategy for 2035 supports environmental sustainability and aligns with Kuwait's goal to decrease carbon emissions by 2050. Current statistics indicate that the industrial sector contributes 2.15% to overall carbon emissions, with energy and water desalination sectors accounting for 95.8%, and waste at 1.95%.
Senior engineer Asmaa Al-Sallal from the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy mentioned various initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, including using recycled CO2, which saves about 1,221 tons of carbon emissions annually. These efforts have reduced construction costs by KD 12 million (USD 38.9 million) and fuel costs by KD 35.5 million (USD 115 million).
Dalal Al-Ajmi, head of the climate change department at the Environment Public Authority (EPA), reiterated Kuwait's commitment to the UN's climate change accord, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 7.5% reduction in emissions by 2035. Key efforts include renewable energy utilization, energy consumption management, and rapid transportation projects.
Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) director Abdullah Al-Mutairi revealed that the company plans to harness 26 million tons of CO2 by 2050. The plan, divided into three phases starting in 2030, includes storing CO2 in biological containers and exploring additional storage methods.
Hussam Jamal, head of the environmental team at Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), discussed efforts to reduce greenhouse gases through Flare Gas Recovery Units (FGRU). These units have significantly reduced emissions at the Mina Abdullah and Mina Al-Ahmadi refineries. KNPC aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption by 12%.
Dina Al-Naqib of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) announced the "White Papers, Kuwait's Energy Transition," a roadmap for energy transformation, offering USD 392 billion in economic opportunities while decreasing carbon emissions. Kuwait ranks sixth globally in per capita carbon emissions, with the white paper aiming for carbon neutrality in the oil sector by 2050 and nationwide by 2060.
EQUATE Petrochemical Company has initiated a project to capture CO2 in Ethylene Glycols manufacturing, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing industrial sustainability. Since its launch, the project has harnessed 735,460 tons of carbon, with expectations to reach 4.3 million tons by 2050.
The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) is working on Turquoise hydrogen technologies to reduce carbon footprints in heavy industries, including a project that cuts CO2 emissions in concrete manufacturing by 30%.