Engineering and Sustainability in Kuwait: Engagement, Knowledge, and Experience

Kuwait is one of the leading oil- and gas-producing countries in the Arab world and globally. Petroleum products account for nearly 50% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and approximately 95% of total exports and government revenues. Alongside this dominant hydrocarbon sector, the engineering and built environment industry makes a notable contribution to the national economy, representing 2% of GDP and 4.7% of the non-oil sector. Globally, these industries are known as main sources of environmental pollution, and they have traditionally been characterized by limited sustainability awareness and practice. However, in line with global developments and the strategic objectives of the New Kuwait 2035, engineers, professional societies, researchers, and construction firms in Kuwait are gradually recognizing the importance of environmental challenges and the necessity to advance sustainable practices. Thus, this paper assesses the levels of sustainability-related engagement, knowledge, and experience among practising engineers and engineering students, and estimates the extent to which their organizations are involved in promoting sustainability, with “organization” referring to the workplace organization for practising engineers and to the educational or training institution for students. An online survey was conducted to study the level of participants’ knowledge of, engagement with, and experience in sustainability, as well as the initiatives adopted by their organizations to foster sustainability. The responses were analyzed in SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns and draw conclusions. The results show that practising engineers and engineering students across a range of engineering sectors in Kuwait have positive levels of sustainability knowledge and attitudes. However, sustainability practices were rated as only moderate. This suggests that further effort is needed to close the gap between theory and practice by embedding sustainability more fully into both education and industry, thereby strengthening individual engineers’ attitudes and improving organizations’ sustainability practices.