Introduction
Kuwait’s telecommunications sector is witnessing notable progress in adopting sustainability principles, as leading companies increasingly focus on reducing their environmental footprint, improving operational efficiency, and supporting local communities.
This study provides an objective and detailed analysis of the sustainability performance of three of Kuwait’s leading telecommunications companies during 2023 and 2024: Zain, Ooredoo Kuwait, and stc Kuwait.
Prepared by Mnakh for Studies and Research, the analysis highlights efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, manage waste, and support community initiatives. It also examines the progress achieved and the challenges these companies continue to face in their journey toward sustainability, offering a comprehensive perspective on the role the telecommunications sector plays in supporting sustainable development in Kuwait.
Zain demonstrates strong commitment to reducing fossil fuel consumption and expanding renewable energy solutions. Ooredoo Kuwait stands out in improving energy efficiency and recycling initiatives, while stc Kuwait shows notable progress in emissions reduction and innovative waste management practices. However, common challenges remain, including reliance on the national electricity grid and limited data availability in certain areas.
Kuwait’s telecommunications sector is witnessing notable progress in adopting sustainability principles as companies work to reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency.
Zain Sustainability Performance
Zain, one of the region’s leading telecommunications companies, has demonstrated a clear commitment to strengthening sustainability within its operations during 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, the company reported total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions of 1,007,521.18 tons of CO₂ equivalent, including 359,283.84 tons from Scope 1 and 648,237.34 tons from Scope 2 emissions.
In 2024, Zain reduced total emissions to 992,195.66 tons of CO₂ equivalent, representing a decrease of 1.5 percent. Scope 1 emissions declined significantly by 8.1 percent to 330,115.86 tons, while Scope 2 emissions increased by 2.1 percent to 662,079.80 tons, mainly due to increased reliance on electricity from the national grid.
This shift reflects the company’s efforts to reduce diesel consumption, which declined by 10.3 percent in 2023 and 7.5 percent in 2024 compared with previous years. However, increased electricity consumption from the grid, rising by 3.6 percent in 2023 and 2.8 percent in 2024, highlights ongoing challenges in reducing Scope 2 emissions, particularly as the company continues to expand its 4G and 5G networks.
In terms of resource consumption, Zain reduced water consumption in Kuwait by 9 percent in 2023 compared with 2022, reaching a group-wide total of 64,733 cubic meters. However, the absence of updated data for 2024 limits the ability to assess whether this progress has continued.
In waste management, Zain introduced an ambitious policy in 2023 aimed at eliminating all forms of waste, including electronic, plastic, and paper waste, by 2030. Implementation began in 2024, although the reports did not provide detailed quantitative data on recycling volumes during this period.
Zain also continued investing in renewable energy infrastructure, installing 242 hybrid solar systems in 2023 and 163 systems in 2024, alongside increasing the number of sites connected to the national power grid. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Nevertheless, climate conditions in Kuwait, including high temperatures and relatively low fuel costs, remain challenges for accelerating sustainability targets. Network expansion and rising energy demand also continue to increase operational emissions.
Ooredoo Kuwait Sustainability Performance
Ooredoo follows a comprehensive sustainability strategy built around five key pillars: environmental protection, digital empowerment, people development, ethical economic opportunities, and customer protection.
During 2023, the company focused primarily on establishing its sustainability framework and advancing digital transformation to improve infrastructure energy efficiency. However, quantitative data on emissions and resource consumption was limited.
In 2024, Ooredoo Kuwait demonstrated measurable progress by converting 27 telecommunications sites from diesel generators to grid electricity, compared with only five sites in 2023. This transition reduced emissions by a cumulative total of 2,376 tons of CO₂ equivalent.
The company also achieved strong improvements in energy efficiency in its operations in Tunisia, where energy intensity declined to 0.115 kilowatt-hours per gigabyte in 2024 compared with 0.13 in 2023, surpassing its 2027 target of 0.118.
In waste management, Ooredoo achieved notable results through a partnership with Ominiya in Kuwait to collect 185 tons of recyclable plastic waste in just six weeks. This initiative avoided 462.5 tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions and saved approximately 555 cubic meters of landfill space.
This effort supports the company’s broader target of reducing plastic waste by 50 percent by 2025.
Ooredoo also introduced water-saving technologies in water-scarce regions. However, the absence of detailed quantitative disclosures on water consumption and emissions for 2023 limits direct year‑to‑year comparison.
On the governance side, Ooredoo strengthened its sustainability management by establishing a dedicated sustainability function at the group level and forming a board-level sustainability committee in 2024. The company also began measuring Scope 3 emissions in Kuwait and Algeria, with plans to disclose these figures in future reports.
stc Kuwait Sustainability Performance
stc Kuwait represents a strong example of sustainability progress during 2024, publishing a detailed report that highlights improvements across several environmental indicators.
Scope 1 emissions totaled 38,844 tons of CO₂ equivalent in 2024, representing a reduction of 13.2 percent compared with the previous year. Scope 2 emissions reached approximately 114,314 tons of CO₂ equivalent, reflecting a reduction of 5.44 percent.
These improvements were supported by a 2.1 percent reduction in overall energy consumption, which declined to 659,545 gigajoules. Diesel consumption fell by 4.7 percent to 13,269,974 liters, while the number of diesel-powered stations decreased by 14.2 percent to 434 stations.
Comparable emissions data for 2023 was not fully disclosed in available reports, limiting the ability to conduct direct year‑to‑year comparisons.
In waste management, stc Kuwait delivered strong performance in 2024 by recycling 4.587 tons of non‑hazardous waste such as plastic and paper, and 12.03 tons of electronic waste, out of a total waste generation of 16.61 tons.
The company also eliminated single‑use plastic bags, reducing emissions by an estimated 14 to 20 tons of CO₂ annually, equivalent to planting between 600 and 900 trees.
In an innovative initiative, stc produced 600,000 SIM cards using recycled PVC material, reducing emissions by 57 percent from 4.56 tons to 1.92 tons. Additionally, the company recycled 3,910 kilograms of obsolete equipment, avoiding approximately 3,998.2 kilograms of CO₂ emissions.
These initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to waste reduction and circular economy practices. However, the absence of 2023 data limits the ability to evaluate progress on a year‑to‑year basis.
Comparative Analysis
A comparison of the three companies during 2023 and 2024 shows that each has taken meaningful steps toward strengthening sustainability practices, although their progress varies in scope and focus.
Zain stands out for reducing Scope 1 emissions and lowering diesel consumption, though it faces ongoing challenges in managing Scope 2 emissions due to increased reliance on grid electricity.
Ooredoo Kuwait demonstrates promising progress in energy efficiency and waste management, particularly through site electrification and improved sustainability governance.
stc Kuwait shows strong performance in emissions reduction and waste management, supported by innovative initiatives such as recycled SIM cards and the elimination of single‑use plastics.
Despite these achievements, several shared challenges remain. Limited quantitative data in some areas, particularly for 2023, restricts comprehensive comparisons. Additionally, increased reliance on grid electricity remains a barrier to reducing Scope 2 emissions, especially given Kuwait’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels in electricity generation.
The expansion of 4G and 5G networks also continues to increase energy demand, requiring innovative solutions to balance operational growth with sustainability goals.
Despite progress, reliance on grid electricity and rising energy demand from expanding 4G and 5G networks remain key sustainability challenges.
Conclusion
Zain, Ooredoo Kuwait, and stc Kuwait demonstrate a clear commitment to advancing sustainability, though their approaches and achievements differ.
These efforts represent an important step toward achieving sustainable development goals within Kuwait’s telecommunications sector. However, continued improvements in reporting transparency, expanded emissions measurement, and greater investment in renewable energy solutions will be essential to further reduce dependence on grid electricity.
With sustained innovation and collaboration, these companies remain well positioned to lead sustainability progress in Kuwait’s telecommunications sector and contribute to the country’s broader transition toward a low‑carbon economy.
