‘Data, info about environment essential when it comes to its protection’
Kuwait located at environmentally sensitive area
KUWAIT CITY, July 23: We all live in one planet, breath the same air, eat from the same source, so it is only logical to protect the environment that sustains us human beings, as the planet we live in, is slowly dying thanks to the advancement of technology and industry, and the negligence towards the numerous negative environmental impacts on earth.
Therefore, if we stand idle by, the very planet that has brought us this far, is surely going to die, taking us with it.
Mahatma Gandhi once said “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed,” a statement that confirms that we humans are doing this to our own plan- et, which only intensifies the need to protect and preserve it.
Considering we live in a world with government’s institutions and authorities, it is not easy to go about protecting the environment, especially when there is negligence from decision makers, which is practically what dragged lawyers into this field, since they are the link between the people and the decision makers.
Guidelines
Thomas Stephan, one of the senior lawyers in Kuwait that has accumulated over 15 years of experience, asserted that Kuwait lacks legislative guidelines in environmental protection, considering Kuwait is located on an environmentally sensitive area with shallow waters, islands and coral reefs.
He added that although Kuwait has an authority dedicated to the protection of the Kuwaiti environment; it does not have a well established, well enhanced legislation in this area, and that it is only recently that the parliaments was able to pass an environmental protection bill, but we do not know when it is going to be implemented effectively.
Data and information about the environment is essential when it comes to its protection, which is why major projects are required to submit an environmental report in order to get the green light for execution, one of the positive steps that Kuwait has taken in regards to environmental protection Mr.Thomas pointed out.
But despite this positive step forward, the data is still insufficient noted Mr. Thomas, constituting a series or laws is not enough, information must be gathered, it must be spread amongst the public, informing them about the negative impacts we are subjecting the environment to.
The Kuwait authority for environment is focusing on industrial pollution, and disregarding other factors, that the Kuwait Institution for Scientific Research (KISR) was the one that submitted the report regarding the increase of Mercury levels in Kuwaiti shores, threatening marine life and public health as well.
When asked about how far behind is Kuwait regarding environmental protection, Thomas said that it is not about being behind; Kuwait simply has to expand its reach and activities, past oil spillage and garbage on the roads.
Kuwait also has to make it simple for international environmental protection organizations to approach Kuwait in bids to gather information or pitch ideas to protect the environment, considering their activities are voluntary.
Agreement
Thomas disclosed that in the recent past, the Kuwaiti government was approached by a similar organization proposing a consultancy agreement that entails collecting and updating data for guidelines to protect Kuwaiti coral reefs and marine life, but Kuwait in turn treated the proposal as a business matter, as if they were another contracting company with investment interests.
These types of contracts cannot be treated like normal business contracts, it will just make it difficult for these organizations to do their jobs, as business contracts demands requirements that these organizations cannot easily comply with, like mandatory use of Kuwait Airways as their carrier, or taxation.
“This is why this organization sought legal aid from our firm” said Mr.Thomas, as the Kuwaiti government laid down unfriendly terms and regulations regarding their proposal, in the upside, Thomas said that the Kuwaiti government is positively responding to ongoing talks and negotiations.
Therefore, Thomas suggests that in environment related issues like this, flexibility is needed from the government’s part, as this issue concerns the world as a whole and not just the Kuwaiti public.