Remote sensing and GIS technology were used by IIES in 2010 to predict the effect of climate change on coral reefs of state of Kuwait. The sea surface temperature (SST) in summer of 2010 was above normal. That has led to coral reef bleaching not just in Kuwait, but also worldwide. Kuwait was the only country that predicted and monitored this event. The prediction and monitoring was undertaken by IIES.

IIES has supplied EPA (Kuwait) with temperature loggers (sensors) to monitor the temperature of seawater over coral reefs and also near the seabed around Kubbar Island, Southern Kuwait. The measurements were taken hourly from May 2010 to the present. Satellite data processed with GIS-based methods was used to support the in situ measurements of sensors in the water. Remotely sensed data, GIS, SST maps, and ground temperature measurements were used to investigate the influence of El-Nino events (and climate change drivers) on the marine environment in Kuwait. In this project,

IIES succeeded in predicting the impact of the 2010 El-Nino event before it took place. El-Nino has led to significant coral reef mortality in the region. This project was co-sponsored by the Environment Public Authority and Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS). IIES was the coordinator of this project in Kuwait.