In exploring how Saudi Arabia’s green initiative reflects Islamic ethics, Mariana Dussin explains three key Islamic principles which mobilise public support for sustainability: stewardship, balance, and prohibition of waste.
After reading a brilliant piece on eco-Islamic values, climate nexus thinking and greening systems, it was inspiring to hear that eco-Islamic values can make a significant difference to the way people engage with and support actions aimed at managing climate change. The question of how much of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) was based on Islamic ethics and values lingered.
How does Saudi Arabia’s green initiative reflect Islamic ethics and nexus thinking?
In the past, Saudi Arabia’s economy was synonymous with oil, and its rapid industrialisation brought with it significant environmental challenges, including heavy carbon emissions and resource overuse. However, the SGI represents a paradigm shift from this legacy, aiming to plant 10 billion trees, reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually, and protect over 30% of the country’s land and sea areas by 2030. These goals signal the Kingdom’s commitment to a sustainable future, one that resonates deeply with its Islamic heritage.
Indeed, the SGI integrates Islamic principles with modern sustainability practices through three key concepts: stewardship (istikhlaf,), which positions humans as Earth’s trustees rather than owners; balance (mizan), which aligns with ecological equilibrium and supports biomimicry in design; and the prohibition of waste (israf), which promotes resource conservation and circular economic approaches. These Islamic teachings remarkably compliment current sustainability frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and can therefore be used to shape a forward-thinking vision for a sustainable future.
Saudi Arabia’s integration of water, energy, and food systems through the SGI exemplifies nexus thinking, while demonstrating how Islamic ethics can inform modern environmental policies. This framework addresses sustainability challenges while recognising the interconnected nature of natural resources.
Renewable energy and water desalination: A balancing act
Saudi Arabia’s shift towards renewable energy, especially in water desalination, reflects the principle of mizan, or balance, by calling for humanity to maintain the natural equilibrium of the world, avoiding the overuse of any resource. Historically, the Kingdom relied heavily on fossil fuels for desalination, which disrupted this balance by contributing to carbon emissions. The SGI’s focus on renewable energy exemplifies the principle of balance in action.
By further committing to generate 50% of the Kingdom’s energy from renewables by 2030, Saudi Arabia is working to restore the balance that has been disrupted by decades of carbon-intensive development. Investments in solar and wind power, alongside the adoption of green hydrogen, show how Saudi Arabia is moving towards a more sustainable energy model that aligns with the concept of mizan. And the nexus water-energy is specifically addressed by the efforts to transition to solar energy for desalination. Here, Saudi Arabia seeks to restore this balance, creating an energy-water system that is both sustainable and efficient.
This effort also reflects istikhlaf, or stewardship, as it embodies the duty that Muslims, as Allah’s vicegerents on Earth, have to care for and preserve resources for future generations. Utilising solar energy to provide essential water supplies in a sustainable manner honours the responsibility humans have to manage Allah’s creation without causing harm.
Agriculture and water management: Smart farming in the desert
Saudi Arabia’s introduction of water-saving technologies like smart irrigation systems and solar-powered farms in its agricultural sector echoes israf, the Islamic prohibition against waste. The Quran warns against excessive consumption and the waste of Allah’s resources, which aligns with the country’s efforts to optimise water-use in agriculture, and the turn towards sustainable energies.
By implementing efficient irrigation and smart farming practices, Saudi Arabia not only reduces water waste but also ensures food security without depleting its energy resources. This approach embodies both israf and istikhlaf, promoting resource conservation while fulfilling the obligation to provide sustenance in a manner that is ecologically sound.
The Middle East Green Initiative and reforestation
The SGI’s ambitious plan to plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom is a manifestation of the concept of istikhlaf. In a country facing desertification and arid conditions, the effort to reforest large swathes of land reflects a commitment to preserving and restoring Allah’s creation. Reforestation not only helps to combat the effects of climate change but also preserves biodiversity and natural habitats, aligning with the responsibility outlined in the Quran.
Furthermore, the principle of mizan is reflected in the balance that Saudi Arabia is attempting to restore between development and nature. By focusing on sustainable forestry and land restoration, the SGI seeks to reinstate the natural equilibrium that has been disturbed by human activity, creating a harmonious coexistence between economic growth and environmental preservation.
The SGI is part of a broader regional effort to tackle climate change and environmental degradation. Through initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative, which aims to plant an additional 40 billion trees across the region, Saudi Arabia is working to enhance regional cooperation on environmental issues. This initiative could serve as a template for other environmental collaborations in the Muslim world, helping to build a unified response to shared environmental challenges. It also shows the importance of regional cooperation across Muslim countries who may find their eco-Islamic values in alignment.
Circular carbon economy: Waste not, want not
Saudi Arabia’s embrace of the circular carbon economy (CCE) also reflects the Islamic principle of israf, prohibiting wastefulness. The CCE framework promotes the recycling and reuse of carbon emissions rather than allowing them to be wasted and harm the environment. By integrating carbon capture technologies with key industries like desalination, Saudi Arabia seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of essential services while minimising resource waste.
This policy also upholds the principle of istikhlaf by ensuring that future generations inherit a world where resources are not depleted but managed wisely. By adopting technologies that reduce waste and ensure more efficient resource use, Saudi Arabia aligns its policies with the moral duty to protect Allah’s creation from harm and misuse.
A model for faith-guided sustainability
The SGI represents an interesting case study in how religious principles can be found in contemporary environmental policies. By aligning its policies with these eco-Islamic values, Saudi Arabia demonstrates how contemporary approaches to sustainability are directly connected to faith-based principles. Through nexus thinking, which considers the interconnectedness of water, energy, and food systems, the SGI offers a holistic framework that addresses environmental challenges while trying to preserve natural resources.
While the journey is far from over, the Kingdom’s transition from environmental indifference to active climate engagement signals a profound transformation, particularly within a nation of 34 million currently experiencing major legal and socio-economic reforms. This evolution towards faith-guided environmentalism demonstrates how Islamic ethics and principles can effectively support environmental protection and sustainable development. With increased ecological education and awareness-building among citizens, Saudi Arabia’s green initiatives could achieve unprecedented public support and participation, suggesting the potential for transformative environmental progress that aligns religious values, government action, and citizen engagement.
Photo by Akil Imran
Note: This article gives the views of the author, not the position of LSE Religion and Global Society nor the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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