Resolution No.2 of 2015 - The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment System in the State of Kuwait

This resolution regulates articles 7 and 16 of the Environmental Protection Law with regards to environmental impact assessments. It describes the purpose of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study (ESIA) and its legal requirements; indicates which projects are subject to an ESIA; outlines criteria for project categorisation and associated conditions; and describes the roles and responsibilities of the Kuwait Environment Public Authority, which is the body that oversees environmental issues and the environmental impact assessment process.

 

Project screening is required before starting a project to determine whether ESIA is needed or not. The project's classification depends on the nature, type, location and the nature and magnitude of its potential impacts. Category A relates to projects for which a detailed and comprehensive ESIA is mandatory. Due to the size and intensity of their environmental impacts, projects in this category generally have potential adverse social or environmental effects. 

 

Category A includes activities in the oil and gas sector, such as onshore and offshore oil and gas production, drilling, construction of pipelines, construction of refineries and storage facilities, among others. The ESIA process for projects falling under Category (A) requires submission of the following documentation: 

• ESIA Scoping Report, including consultation with public and relevant parties;
• Environment and Social Impact Assessment Study (ESIAS), including public consultation and disclosure; 
• Monitoring Report on Construction and Operation Activities.

 An ESIAS for category A must also include a section about the mitigation measures, defending the choice rationale of the selected measure over other options, and presenting its efficiency and the impact of the residual emissions pollutants discharged. Another section explains the environmental management plan and presents details about the implementation of mitigation measures, and detection and measurement techniques.

The result of the ESIA is documented in a report that supports the decision over the emission of an environmental permit for the associated activity. 

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more (Arabic)