An Islamic Ethical Framework for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the Context of Climate Change

Abstract

The unprecedented global crisis posed by climate change necessitates long-term, strategic policy solutions. One important procedural tool for assessing how policies, plans, and programs affect the environment is the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The ethical-legal framework of Islam (Sharia) and the principles of SEA are examined in this article, which makes the case that Islamic teachings offer a strong, values-based basis for effective environmental governance. This study identifies fundamental principles like Khalifah (stewardship), Mizan (balance and justice), Amanah (trust), and the prevention of Fasad (corruption on earth) through a qualitative analysis of primary Islamic sources—the Quran and Sunnah—and secondary scholarship on Islamic environmental ethics. The study shows that by integrating SEA into a spiritual and ethical imperative for justice (Adl), intergenerational equity, and the preservation of life, these principles not only support the procedural goals of SEA but also deepen its purpose. According to the article's conclusion, incorporating an Islamic ethical viewpoint into the planning and execution of SEA, especially in countries with a majority of Muslims, can strengthen its legitimacy, encourage public participation, and advance more ecologically sound and socially equitable.