Climate Justice in Islamic Legal Thought: Harmonizing Environmental Law, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development in OIC Countries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65960/ijlss.2.1.2026.14Keywords:
Climate Justice, Environmental Law, Islamic Environmental Ethics, Sustainable Development, Human RightsAbstract
Climate change has become one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting environmental sustainability, economic development, and human well-being across many regions of the world. Countries within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks such as water scarcity, desertification, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. These environmental challenges not only threaten ecosystems but also undermine social stability, food security, and fundamental human rights. In this context, the concept of climate justice has emerged as an important framework for addressing the unequal distribution of climate impacts and promoting fair and sustainable environmental governance. This study examines the role of climate justice within Islamic legal thought and explores how environmental law, human rights, and sustainable development can be harmonized in OIC countries to address contemporary environmental challenges.
Using a qualitative doctrinal and comparative legal methodology, the study analyzes the conceptual foundations of climate justice, the ecological principles embedded in Islamic legal traditions, and the development of international environmental law and climate governance frameworks. It further evaluates environmental policies and legal mechanisms adopted by selected OIC countries in order to assess how environmental governance, human rights protections, and sustainability strategies are integrated at the national level. The analysis highlights both the progress made by several OIC countries in developing climate policies and the challenges they continue to face in implementing effective environmental governance systems.
The findings suggest that Islamic environmental ethics—particularly principles related to stewardship, moderation in resource use, and the prevention of harm—provide valuable normative foundations for strengthening climate governance in Muslim-majority societies. These ethical principles align closely with international environmental law and sustainable development frameworks, offering opportunities for integrating culturally grounded approaches into modern environmental policymaking. However, disparities in institutional capacity, legal implementation, and financial resources continue to limit the effectiveness of environmental governance in many OIC states.
The study concludes that harmonizing environmental law, human rights, and sustainable development is essential for achieving climate justice in OIC countries. Strengthening environmental legislation, improving institutional coordination, promoting renewable energy development, and enhancing public participation in environmental decision-making can significantly improve climate governance outcomes. By integrating Islamic ethical perspectives with international legal frameworks, OIC countries can develop more inclusive and sustainable approaches to addressing climate change while protecting the rights and well-being of present and future generations.
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