Law No. 42 of 2014 as amended - The Environment Protection Law

This law aims to protect the environment and its natural resources, control environmental pollution and degradation in all its forms, and ensure the achievement sustainable development objectives and biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, it shall promote environmental culture in Kuwait and increase public awareness of environmental matters, sustainability and proper use of natural resources.

 

It stipulates that the Environmental Supreme Council is responsible for the state’s environmental policy, approving national plans for environmental protection and emergency plans for environmental disasters as well as for monitoring the implementation of this law.

 

Under Article 7, the Environment Public Authority has the general jurisdiction over environmental affairs, including the competence over the system of environmental impact assessment, regulating pollution and setting standards for environmental quality. It shall be overseen by the Environment Supreme Council. The Environment Public Authority is also mandated to conduct continuous monitoring and evaluation of operations with regards to air pollution. Moreover, it shall perform studies and support research in the field of air quality, aiming to reduce the adverse impacts of air pollution. 

 

Article 13 provides for the establishment of an environment protection fund to finance projects aiming to protect the environment, rehabilitate damaged sites, support education and research in the environmental field, or promote sustainable development through other means.

 

Under Article 52, this law requires that installations abide to emission standards, preventing the emission or leak of air pollutants above established limits as stipulated by an executive bylaw. Furthermore, operators must undertake continuous monitoring of gas emissions rates from different sources in the installation and report immediately if permitted limits are exceeded. 

 

Article 16 requires all project proponents to conduct environmental impact assessment studies before commencing the implementation of any project, or undertaking significant modifications or expansions. This is also a requirement for licensing procedures.

 

This legislation also outlines applicable penalties, measures for necessary compensation regarding environmental damage, inspection powers, information requirements and related issues. 

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