Kuwait's Strategic Collaboration to Combat Climate Change and Achieve Carbon Neutrality

Kuwait is actively pursuing a comprehensive strategy to combat climate change through a partnership between its government and private sector, aimed at significantly reducing carbon emissions. This initiative aligns with the national vision of sustainable development and economic diversification away from oil dependency. The collaboration involves several key initiatives that are part of Kuwait's National Vision 2035, which emphasizes sustainable development and reducing reliance on oil.

Key points include setting ambitious targets for carbon neutrality: achieving it in the oil sector by 2050 and nationwide by 2060. The plan entails substantial actions such as reducing oil and gas consumption by 3.4 billion tons, planting 340 million trees, installing 500,000 smart meters for electricity, and transitioning 75% of vehicles to electric or hybrid models.

The strategy is expected to bring significant economic and environmental benefits. It aims to attract $240 billion in investments while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing Kuwait's global carbon footprint. Innovative projects are at the forefront of this initiative: EQUATE Petrochemical Company is capturing CO2 at its Ethylene Glycols manufacturing plant, with plans to capture up to 4.3 million tons by 2050. The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research is advancing Turquoise hydrogen technologies and reducing CO2 emissions in concrete production.

Furthermore, the approach supports a Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) by recycling captured carbon from industrial processes. These efforts underscore Kuwait's dedication to addressing climate change through innovative technology, significant investments, and strategic public-private partnerships.