FROM SHARIA TO SUSTAINABILITY: ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES FOR A GREEN ECONOMY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION
Indonesia 
Saudi Arabia 
United Arab Emirates 
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Environmental Governance, Green Economy, Islamic Principles
Abstract
Growing concerns about climate change, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and rising energy demand have intensified the search for sustainable development models integrating ethical responsibility with economic transformation. Islamic teachings offer principles through maqasid al-shariah, khalifah, amanah, adl, and mizan, providing a moral framework for environmental stewardship, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable economic development. This study examined how Sharia-based principles contribute to advancing a green economy and renewable energy transition through ethical governance and sustainable financial practices. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design involved 520 respondents from Islamic financial institutions, environmental agencies, renewable energy organizations, universities, and sustainability-oriented institutions. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression, mediation, and moderation analyses, while qualitative evidence was derived from expert interviews, institutional observations, policy document reviews, and thematic analysis. Findings showed that maqasid al-shariah significantly strengthened renewable energy adoption, environmental governance, green finance, stakeholder collaboration, ecological conservation, and sustainable economic development. Green finance partially mediated the relationship between Islamic ethical principles and sustainability performance, while institutional governance reinforced environmental responsibility. Integrating Sharia principles with environmental governance therefore offers a comprehensive framework for accelerating renewable energy transition, strengthening ecological resilience, promoting ethical economic growth, and supporting sustainable development across Muslim societies and beyond.
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