Green Islam Initiative Faces Hurdles Despite Growing Need for Climate Action

Jakarta, UIN News Online — The Green Islam initiative, aimed at addressing environmental crises through Islamic teachings, requires broader support from policymakers, funding bodies, women's groups, and integration into various government policies. This call for comprehensive support comes amidst the growing threat of climate change and the challenges faced by the initiative in making a substantial impact.

This topic was central to the discussion during the release of the PPIM UIN Jakarta research report titled "Green Islam Movement: Hope for the Climate Crisis in Indonesia?" presented on Tuesday, 08/27/2024), in Jakarta by Testriono, Ph.D., a researcher at PPIM UIN Jakarta and coordinator of the Green Islam Movement Research.

The event was attended by key figures including PPIM UIN Jakarta Executive Director Dr. Didin Syafruddin, Ph.D., Deputy Head of Political Affairs at the Netherlands Embassy to Indonesia, Mark Hengstman, as well as environmental activists, media representatives, and academic researchers. The discussion panel featured notable discussants such as Ade Palguna Rutek (Head of BP2SDM at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry), Prof. Abdul Mu'ti (General Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah), Khalisah Khalid (Greenpeace Indonesia), and Roy Murtadho (Founder of Pesantren Misykatul Anwar).

Testriono’s presentation highlighted the global nature of the climate crisis, noting Indonesia’s vulnerability as the country with the third-highest disaster risk among 193 nations, according to the World Risk Report 2022. He emphasized that the Green Islam Movement seeks to integrate environmental sustainability with Islamic teachings to promote eco-friendly practices.

The research identifies 142 Green Islam organizations in Indonesia, categorized into conservationists, policy campaigners, and mobilizers. Most of these groups are affiliated with Indonesia’s major Islamic organizations, NU and Muhammadiyah, and operate on a local rather than national or international scale. Many of these groups are religious organizations rather than NGOs or coalitions.

Green Islam activists leverage religious identity to design their strategies. Examples include the Aceh Forest, Nature and Environment Community (HAkA), which uses religious lectures to promote Green Islam, and Aisyiyah, which integrates environmental education in Muhammadiyah schools. Other initiatives like AgriQuran utilize social media to engage younger audiences.

Despite these efforts, Testriono noted that the Green Islam Movement has not yet achieved widespread recognition or significant impact. Challenges include fragmentation, limited resources, and gaps in understanding environmental messages among the public. Additionally, the involvement of women in the movement is not fully utilized, even though their participation is crucial for expanding its reach.

The research recommends several strategies to enhance the Green Islam Movement’s effectiveness, including expanding cooperation with government agencies, strengthening financial self-reliance through waqf (endowment funds), and increasing women’s involvement. It also suggests integrating Green Islam principles into the Ministry of Religious Affairs' strategic plan for 2025-2029.

This research is part of the REACT (Religious Environmentalism Actions) project, which aims to promote religion-based environmental actions, particularly within Islam, in response to escalating environmental challenges. The study employed desk research, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and field observations to gather comprehensive insights.

Dr. Didin Syafruddin concluded by expressing hope that the research would raise awareness about environmental damage and climate change, positioning the Green Islam Movement as a vital step toward a sustainable future for Indonesia.

(Caroline Oktaviani/Ridho R. Balebat/Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/ZM)