Kuala lumpur: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, said today new thought leadership and direction-setting are needed to tackle climate change effectively, stressing that action must be viewed through the lens of Maqasid al-Shariah, the spirit as well as the letter of Islamic law.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, delivering a special address at the 16th Roundtable of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), His Royal Highness said the challenge of climate change demands bold, collective and innovative solutions. He noted the dire situation, emphasizing the urgency for rapid and unified actions to effect positive change.
Sultan Nazrin stressed that climate change should not be politicised, warning that the absence of global consensus is hindering effective solutions. He highlighted the need for the issue to transcend partisanship to achieve the desperately needed global consensus.
His Royal Highness reminded participants of humanity’s responsibility as khalifah, or guardians, over the earth, quoting a famous Hadith that emphasizes the duty to keep the planet ‘green and beautiful’ for future generations. He advocated for a unified approach to climate action that transcends religious differences, guided by the principles of Maqasid al-Shariah.
On the role of finance, Sultan Nazrin highlighted the potential of Islamic finance to support climate initiatives. He pointed out the industry’s growth to a US$5 trillion global market, with Malaysia leading the way in sustainable investment frameworks like the Sustainable and Responsible Investment Sukuk.
The Perak Sultan mentioned that around US$15 billion was raised globally through Green Sukuk in 2024, supporting various sustainability projects. He emphasized the recognition of such instruments by the United Nations Development Programme as crucial for sustainable development.
Sultan Nazrin further underscored the importance of innovation in green technology, cautioning against solutions that merely shift environmental problems. He highlighted issues such as wasteful disposal of solar panels and environmentally damaging extraction practices for electric vehicle batteries, urging continuous efforts to improve.
Themed ‘Guardians of the Earth: Climate Action Through the Lens of Maqasid al-Shariah’, the roundtable marks the 40th anniversary of OCIS and was attended by international dignitaries including former President of Turkiye Dr Abdullah Gul and former Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Dr Mohammed Al-Sabah.