Minimising the risks arising from industrial and economic development and the resultant degradation of environment has been a matter of great concern to Kuwait for a number of years. Various institutions have come together for the preservation of the environment. These integrated efforts resulted in the passing of a decree in 1980, which enforced the basic rules for the protection of the environment in Kuwait.

The Environment Public Authority (EPA) was established in 1995. This law was, later, amended in 1996. According to this amendment, the authority consists of the High Council, which defines EPA’s aims and objectives and policy. It is headed by the First Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign minister and has the following members:

The Minister for Health
The Minister for Planning
The Minister for Oil
The Minister for Commerce and Industry
The Minister for Communications
The Municipality Chief
The Chairman - the Director General of the Public Authority for the Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources
The Director General of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

The High Council of the EPA also includes, for four renewable years, three qualified and experienced individuals in the field of environment protection and the Director General is the rapporteur of the council.

The responsibilities of the EPA are to:

Prepare and apply public policy for the protection of environment and prepare strategies and action plans to achieve sustainable development.
Prepare and supervise the execution of the complete action plan relating to the protection of the environment.
Control the activities, procedures and practices concerned with the protection of the environment.
Identify pollutants and specify environmental criteria and standards and prepare regulation and systems for the protection of the environment
Prepare and participate in directing and supporting environmental researches and studies.
Identify the problems resulting from environmental pollution and deterioration with the assistance of the state agencies.
Study and review the ratification or accession of the regional or international conventions related to environmental protection.
Prepare an integral action plan for training citizens on the means and ways of environmental protection
Study environmental reports submitted to it relating to environmental conditions of the country.

The EPA has recently promulgated a 10-year strategy aimed at protecting Kuwait’s environment, and addressing specific concerns about the atmosphere, water resources, environment preservation, education and awareness as well as industry and power. The strategy includes many laws aimed at protecting and maintaining buildings, heritage and archaeological sites. Old mosques and historical buildings are being renovated. It also provides a safe environmental framework to protect and preserve components of the infrastructure and the urban environment. The strategy also includes education and awareness programmes on environment protection and preservation.