A green Malaysian landscape illustrating environmental stewardship
A better future
begins with care.
Reclaimed materials in a Malaysian circular-economy workshop
Natural surroundings illustrating a more sustainable future
People. Planet.
Shared possibilities.
02RESEARCH
PILLAR

IERIF / Research with purpose

Environmental
Sustainability.

A thriving planet.
A future within our means.

Protecting the planet that sustains us all — funding research on green growth, resource efficiency, and resilience aligned with the 2030 SDG agenda.

Connecting Islamic economic principles with green growth, resource efficiency and a more regenerative future.

Explore the research
Ideas in action01↗

Research exploring a more regenerative economy.

A regenerative lens03✳

Circular economy, Green growth, Environmental stewardship.

Connected by purpose05↗

Research pillars working towards a more sustainable economy.

01 / Purpose & perspective

A future
within our means.

Environmental Sustainability focuses on the relationship between economic activity and the natural environment. IERIF funds research on green growth, resource efficiency, biodiversity, climate change, and food and water security — anchoring the field within the planetary boundaries that shape all economic life.

More about this pillar

Current work under this pillar explores how Islamic finance instruments such as waqf can be developed to support the circular economy — directing resources toward reuse, recycling, and regeneration rather than waste.

The pillar seeks to connect Islamic economic principles with sustainability imperatives, positioning environmental stewardship as integral to an ethical and humane economic system that serves both people and planet.

01

Circular economy.

Rethinking how resources can be reused, recycled and kept in circulation.

02

Green growth.

Connecting economic opportunity with a lighter environmental footprint.

03

Environmental stewardship.

Placing care for people and the planet at the heart of economic decisions.

02 / Explore the work

Research for
real possibilities.

Research for a future that serves both people and planet.

CONNECTED BY PURPOSE

Different perspectives.
Shared possibilities.

Keep exploring our research pillars.
A wider view of a better future.

Affordable everyday groceries arranged at a Malaysian market01

Equitable Economy

Opportunity for everyone.
Economic analysis workspace overlooking Kuala Lumpur03

Monetary System & Policy Efficacy

Better policy. Shared progress.
Responsible finance documents and batik on a Malaysian workspace04

Islamic Finance

Principled finance. Real progress.
Unbranded packaged food on a clean production line05

Halal Economy

Integrity beyond borders.