Environmental and Social Impact Assessment System in the State of Kuwait, issued by Resolution No.2 of 2015.

These guidelines and procedures will improve the environmental management process in Kuwait and would enhance the level of public awareness about the general environmental issues in general and about the environmental and social impact assessment system in particular. Main purpose of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment System (ESIA) is (i) describe the objective of the Environment and Social Assessment (ESA) process and its legal requirements; (ii) identify which projects are subject to an ESA; (iii) identify the criteria for categorizations (screening lists) of these projects and their different types of assessment are required; (iv) describe the requirements for Environment and Social Assessment in different categories; and (v) describe the roles and responsibilities of the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA), Relevant Authorities (RA), and the Project Proponent (PP). The result of the ESA process is a report that can have different forms, described in the document.
Before starting a project it is necessary a Project Screening to establish whether or not ESIA is required. The classification of the project depends on the nature, type, location, as well as the nature and magnitude of its potential impacts. The category of the project will be based on the four screening lists, as follows (1) Category A includes projects for which a detailed and comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study (ESIAS) is mandatory; (2) Category B includes a list of projects for which an Environmental and Social Assessment Report (ESAR) is required; (3) Category C includes a list of activities for which only an Environmental Impact Form (EAF) should be filled in being activities with very limited environmental impacts; and (4) Category D is a list of activities which have no adverse impacts and therefore do not require an Environmental Permit. In case a project cannot be found in any of the four screening lists, the project proponent should submit a request to KEPA. An Environmental and Social Assessment is required for projects related to the following sectors: chemical industries, oil and gas, engineering and construction materials, food and agro-industry, energy, large and medium-size infrastructure, irrigation, agriculture and livestock, water supply, urban development, waste management, tourism and entertainment.
The document provides for guidelines for projects under each category.