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This study explores how Islamic principles can enhance environmental governance in the UAE within the Sustainable Development Goals framework.

March 10, 2026Open Access

The Integration of Islamic Principles and Emirati Environmental Initiatives: An Analytical Study in Light of the Sustainable Development Goals

Key Points

This study explores how Islamic principles can enhance environmental governance in the UAE within the Sustainable Development Goals framework.
Adopted an analytical approach to assess the integration of Islamic values with environmental policy.
Focused on four key pillars: stewardship, prohibition of extravagance, public interest, and environmental protection in Islamic law.
Analyzed policies in clean energy, resource management, and emissions reduction.
Examined green endowments as a financing mechanism for sustainability.
UAE successfully integrates Islamic values with environmental initiatives, improving policy legitimacy and implementation.
Environmental policies reflect cultural specificities while adhering to international commitments.
Enhancement of societal acceptance through linking sustainability with religious values.
The model provides insights applicable to other Arab and Islamic contexts.

Abstract

HRMARS - This study examines how Islamic principles are integrated with environmental initiatives in the United Arab Emirates as a practical governance model that links religious values with contemporary public policy within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. It argues that Islamic values function not merely as cultural references, but as a normative framework that guides environmental decision making, enhances policy implementation, and strengthens societal legitimacy, thereby supporting institutional, economic, and social sustainability. Adopting an analytical approach, the study conceptualizes Islamic principles as a value system shaping policy design, legislation, and social behavior. It focuses on four pillars: stewardship as a foundation for responsible and sustainable resource use, the prohibition of extravagance as a basis for regulating consumption and improving efficiency, public interest as a guiding logic for prioritizing long-term environmental benefits despite short-term costs, and environmental protection in Islamic law as a principle translatable into enforceable regulations. The study also highlights green endowments as an innovative financing mechanism that diversifies funding sources and enhances the financial sustainability of environmental initiatives. The findings show that the UAE has developed an integrated approach that reconciles international commitments with cultural specificities. Environmental initiatives are operationalized through policies in clean energy, resource management, biodiversity protection, and emissions reduction, while societal acceptance is strengthened by linking sustainability to religious values such as trust and integrity. This integration aligns with the SDGs and helps bridge the gap between planning and implementation by transforming commitments into nationally grounded practices. The study concludes that this model can be adapted in other Arab and Islamic contexts if implementation tools, environmental awareness through religious and educational institutions, and value linked measurement mechanisms are further strengthened.

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