Public Preferences towards Policies to Address the Water-Energy-Nature Nexus in Kuwait

The water–energy–nature (WEN) nexus describes how interactions among these three domains can yield gains or trade-offs to addressing climate change when analyzed together rather than independently. For example, transitioning to renewable sources of energy could only reduce emissions from activities like water desalination and recycling. Water recycling, in turn can not only address water scarcity and alleviate demands on desalination but could also be used to restore and protect local nature. Local nature could, in turn, help emissions reduction and cool local temperatures. Despite these potential gains, however, there is remarkably little understanding of how the public perceives this nexus, people’s their willingness to support nexus-based policies, and what factors influence this potential support in Kuwait.

This project provides a robust assessment of respondents’ understanding of, and willingness to address the WEN nexus affecting climate change in Kuwait using a discrete choice experiment. We will assess preferences for reducing CO2 emissions, increasing the use of recycled wastewater for agricultural and industrial use, and planting more trees to encourage nature conservation. We will also examine the role of socio-cultural and religious attitudes, beliefs, and values, as well as pro-environmental and climate concern and risk perceptions. Results from this study has the potential to inform both policy design and communicated in ways that centre both people and nexus-thinking.