Integrating Islamic Values in Climate Change Adaptation: The Role of Non-State Actors in Terengganu, Malaysia

Non-state actors can bridge local communities with climate advocacy through climate literacy with religious understanding. While religion is known to form risk perception, influence of Islamic values on non-state actors’ climate adaptation actions remains unfamiliar. This study employs semi-structured interview with 12 non-state actors from different organisations, in Terengganu, Malaysia, to evaluate influence of Islamic values in climate adaptation strategies. Drawing from theories of Motivation theory and Cultural Theory of Risk, non-state actors frame their actions toward environment with Islamic values such as Khalifa (stewardship) and Al-Mizan (balance). Six key actions were recognised and several were identified to be affected by religious effects: advocacy in conservation policy where Fatwa Religious law Banning of turtle eggs was established, information communication with state-actors, education (raising climate awareness) through religious teachings, complementary role that partners with stakeholders to execute climate action, observational role that provides data to state actors, and developing faith-based innovation strategies. Analysis also indicates a mix of egalitarian, hierarchy and fatalism worldview among the respondents. Challenges like poverty and low climate awareness may deter the integration of Islamic values in climate adaptation strategies due to priorities held in different organisations. However, non-state actors emphasised that the state government should take part in facilitating climate literacy to the community while including religious values in climate adaptation strategies to foster climate resiliency among Terengganu community.