“We are in danger of ending life as we know it on our planet” (The Islamic Declaration on Climate Change [2015])
As extreme events such as heat waves, heavy rain, and coastal flooding become more frequent , the Islamic Declaration predicts adverse effects on the global economy, biodiversity and the goods and services provided by eco-systems. The earth’s ‘core physical systems’ will abruptly and irreversibly change.
Islamic Relief’s Global Strategy for 2017-2021 aims for Islamic Relief to be recognised as the foremost Muslim agency providing leadership on tackling climate adaptation and mitigation. As such Islamic Relief will take its part in influencing planning of national and local governments and holding them to account for commitments on livelihoods, adaptation and mitigation policies. Islamic Relief Worldwide, as part of the Global Muslim Climate Network, ran a global advocacy campaign to encourage Muslims to tackle climate change following the Islamic Declaration.
Most of Islamic Relief’s climate programme is about adaptation – building the adaptive capacity of individuals and communities in order to reduce their vulnerability to the effects of climate change. Islamic Relief is engaged more than 40 such projects in 14 countries worldwide. To prevent it becoming an endless cycle, this development must be achieved alongside emission reductions. Islamic Relief’s Action on Climate & Consumption project adds work on reducing carbon emissions in both developed and developing countries.
Islamic Relief can achieve its vision of reducing poverty and suffering in spite of climate change. To do so we will continue to respond with relevant development, adaptation and risk reduction interventions to help communities cope with the short-term impacts of climate change. In parallel, we will advocate for pro-poor mitigation policies that limit long-term impacts, and help create the conditions that allow for sustainable, equitable and global prosperity.
For more details of Islamic Relief’s extensive work on climate change adaptation and mitigation see our forthcoming publication “Islamic Relief – Climate Champions”
