What Islamic contributions have been made to climate change action and how useful are they in promoting environmental justice?
ISSN: 1359-0790
Article publication date: 5 February 2021
Issue publication date: 28 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore Islamic contributions to discussions on climate change action and environmental justice. The author argues that Islamic approaches to this issue provide a unique cultural and religious perspective which can effectively address the issue of climate change.
Design/methodology/approach
Beginning with a discussion of the concepts central to this essay, the author moves to discuss why she has chosen to move away from approaches founded in criminal law, instead of arguing that it is important to focus on culturally specific approaches to environmental justice. The author then explores some of the approaches taken by mainstream Muslim organisations working towards environmental justice. In particular, the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change and responses from Islamic Relief Worldwide, considering both the benefits and flaws of these approaches.
Findings
The author concludes by arguing that Sharīʿah has potential for developing Muslim environmental justice further, using Islamic legal rulings from Indonesia as an example. In this way, Islamic contributions can further aid global environmental justice. The author finds that culturally specific approaches to climate change, founded in legal mechanisms such as the Islamic juridical process (fiqh), have vast potential in securing environmental justice across the globe.
Originality/value
Islamic contributions to climate change are often relegated to the background, while approaches from the perspective of legal mechanisms and criminal law have been favoured. The author believes that an Islamic approach is not only a starkly different approach, but also one which can provide an impetus for change. This is particularly true for the contributions of Islamic jurists.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust and Cambridge UK Masters Scholarship.
The author has submitted this article to part-fulfill the requirements of MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge. The author would like to thank the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust for part-funding this MPhil with the Cambridge UK Masters Scholarship.
The author also would like to thank Professor Barry Rider OBE PhD LLD (Jesus College, University of Cambridge, Centre of Development Studies) for encouraging the author to seek publication of this essay, and for providing valuable guidance on earlier drafts. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the teaching staff at the Centre of Development Studies. Finally, the author would like to express their thanks to Phoebe, for all the unwavering patience, support and advice during the author’s MPhil.
Citation
Turnbull, E. (2021), "What Islamic contributions have been made to climate change action and how useful are they in promoting environmental justice?", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 1032-1043. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-10-2020-0208
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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