KUWAIT CITY, March 13: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) has emphasized the importance of monitoring consumer behavior in society, particularly wastefulness during Ramadan, and called for innovative technological solutions to address this issue. Society member Nawaf Al-Muwail presented several solutions that rely on artificial intelligence and smart technologies to curb wastefulness, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

This message was delivered during the association’s participation in a lecture on "Green Economy and Reducing Waste... Using Artificial Intelligence," which was part of the "Kuwait Ramadan Diwaniya" evenings. The lecture was organized on Tuesday by the Kuwait Social Responsibility Program, affiliated with the Regional Network for Social Responsibility, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Endowment. It was held under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Information and Culture, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, and chaired by Dr. Shihab Al-Othman, Chairman of the Program’s Advisory Committee. The organizing committee was led by Counselor Khalida Al-Kharraz, UN Commissioner for the Promotion of the United Nations Goals.

During the lecture, Al-Muwail presented the findings of a research study conducted by the association to measure environmental awareness regarding the 12th Sustainable Development Goal. The study, which involved 212 Kuwaiti citizens and residents, revealed that 57 percent of participants who set a budget for their purchases exceeded it, particularly during Ramadan and other special occasions. This highlights the need for practical solutions to curb excessive consumption.

Al-Muwail explained that "wasteful spending on shopping, food, water, energy, and time presents both environmental and economic challenges. Large quantities of food, clothing, and sweets are purchased due to promotions and discounts, resulting in the waste of money and resources." He added, "The irrational use of water and energy contributes to increased environmental burdens, especially with the heightened demand during special occasions."

Proposed solutions

Al-Muwail suggested several solutions relying on artificial intelligence and smart technologies to reduce waste, including:

Activating smart water sensors to reduce water flow when not needed and using apps to monitor home consumption.

Implementing smart home systems (such as Google Nest) to automatically control lighting and air conditioning, which helps reduce energy consumption.

Organizing time using apps (such as Screen Time and Google Assistant) to set daily priorities and reduce screen time.

Al-Muwail stressed the importance of community awareness, particularly through social media, and promoting a culture of rationalization among individuals. He emphasized that "achieving a green economy requires concerted efforts between society, the government, and the private sector, along with the adoption of effective technological solutions that contribute to building a more sustainable future."