KUWAIT: Environmental experts in Kuwait called for a shift in both consumption habits and government policies to promote more sustainable behavior during a panel discussion titled “The Change Starts Today: Sustainability in Kuwait,” hosted by IKEA. As the country faces a growing energy crisis, specialists recommended gradually reducing subsidies on electricity and water, while introducing financial incentives and penalties to encourage responsible usage. “Kuwait has the highest electricity consumption among GCC countries,” warned Dr Reem Al-Awadhi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Kuwait University.

Despite various awareness efforts by both the government and private sector, individual consumption patterns remain alarmingly high. Dr Bassam Shuhaibar, Environmental Engineer and Associate Research Scientist at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), revealed that energy consumption in Kuwait reaches an average of 40 kilowatt-hours per person per day—equivalent to nearly 400 hours of television viewing. To curb this excessive usage, Shuhaibar argued that the most effective way is through people’s wallets. “We have no choice but to hit people where it matters most—their pockets,” he said, advocating for a mix of reduced subsidies, penalties for overconsumption, and reward schemes for those who adopt greener practices.

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Enough of forced greenery

Dr Al-Awadhi echoed the call, suggesting incentives for choices such as switching to electric cars, installing solar panels, or reducing air conditioning use, alongside financial disincentives for wasteful consumption. Water use, too, was flagged as deeply problematic. Shuhaibar noted that water consumption in Kuwait averages 500 liters per person daily, or about 2,500 cups of coffee.

“We treat water as if it’s unlimited, but Kuwait is a desert country with minimal rainfall, depleting groundwater, and increasing saltwater intrusion,” Al-Awadhi stressed. “We need to start paying the true cost of water to understand its value.” She pointed out that water generation is closely tied to energy, as desalination requires burning fossil fuels to produce steam and remove salt from seawater. “Water is an energy problem, in the first place,” she said.

This overuse is particularly evident in gardening practices, she added. “People try to force green landscapes in our desert climate by growing grass, which is unsustainable here. We’re not in Europe. There are beautiful native plants like arfaj, awsaj, and sidr that require far less water.” For agriculture, Al-Awadhi recommended public awareness campaigns to promote the use of treated or recycled water. “Some farmers fear it’s polluted, while others simply don’t know the process,” she said. She also advocated for the promotion of greywaterreuse—for instance, using water from showers or sinks for irrigation or cleaning.

Solar panels for new houses

Environmental specialist Samia Al-Duaij called for a revival of the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy’s 2024 proposal to mandate solar panels on all newly constructed homes. The plan, which included buying renewable energy from citizens as part of the 2024–2025 national development strategy, has since gone quiet. Al-Duaij emphasized that even small behavioral shifts can yield significant energy savings. “Our cultural habit of setting air conditioners to extremely low temperatures is a major contributor to high energy use,” she said, citing studies showing that raising the temperature by just 2–3°C can slash energy consumption by up to 30 percent.

Promoting sustainable practices is also a responsibility taken up by companies like Ikea, as reflected through initiatives and events such as this panel. “Our long-term strategy is to embed sustainability into everything—from encouraging everyday habits like switching off lights and using blackout curtains, to redesigning products and optimizing logistics to lower our carbon footprint,” said Marino Maganto, CEO of IKEA Kuwait, Jordan, and Morocco. “Sustainability should not come at a higher cost. It’s our duty to make sustainable products accessible and affordable.”

Maganto also highlighted IKEA’s Removal and Recycling Furniture initiative, which allows customers to remove your old furniture – regardless of the brand - and recycle it in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way when they deliver your furniture. “By giving products this second life, we are reducing consumption.” Given IKEA’s wide public reach, Maganto emphasized the company’s role in influencing consumer behavior. “With millions of visitors annually, we have a responsibility to lead by example—reducing energy use not only at home but also across our stores, warehouses, and transportation networks.”

The panel concluded IKEA’s Earth Day Sustainability Challenge, which featured a first-of-its-kind virtual reality journey through Kuwait’s most iconic heritage landmarks. Participants engaged in an interactive game, learning how small, everyday choices can lead to lasting environmental impact. The experience highlighted crucial sustainability messages—such as conserving water, reducing single-use plastics, protecting marine life, and using natural resources responsibly.