Comparative Law Review

Comparative Law Review

The Responsibility of States in Protecting Biodiversity and Genetic Resources of the Environment from the Perspective of Islamic Teachings and International Law Standards

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Meisam Norouzi 1
Mehdi Eskandari Khoshgou 2
1 Ph.D. Student of Public International law, Department of Law, Hamadan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamadan, Iran
2 PhD student in Public International Law, Department of Law, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran.
10.22059/jcl.2026.391156.634732
Abstract
Biodiversity and genetic resources are considered fundamental pillars of human life and environmental balance, and have a direct impact on the health of ecosystems and the quality of human life. However, in the present era, numerous challenges such as climate change, industrial activities, and habitat destruction pose serious threats to these resources. This issue highlights the need for special attention to the responsibility of states to protect natural resources more than ever. The present study, which adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, has attempted to answer the question of what views Islam and international law have regarding the responsibility of states in protecting biodiversity and environmental genetic resources? The results indicate that Islamic teachings consider land and natural resources as a divine trust and emphasize their preservation and protection. In this regard, verses of the Quran and the Prophetic Hadiths create a solid framework for environmental ethics that regards states as the overseers and protectors of natural resources. On the other hand, international law, with the legal and moral obligations it imposes on states, specifies the responsibilities of states in protecting biodiversity.
Keywords
Islam
Biodiversity conservation
Environmental genetic resources
International law
Responsibility of states
Subjects
  1. Ghorane Karim.
  2. Almasvand, A R.; Moradkhani, A. & Abedian, S H. (2022). The Role of Beliefs in Environmental Protection from the Perspective of the Quran, Journal of Nameh Al-Ihayat, 15 (59), 32-45. https://sanad.iau.ir/journal/jt/Article/697250?jid=697250 (In Persian).
  3. Amin Mansour, J. (2015). The Relationship Between Human Rights and the Environment from the Perspective of the International Community, Foreign Policy Quarterly, 3. https://fp.ipisjournals.ir/article_21423.html (In Persian).
  4. AZAD, M. A. J. A. G. (2012). Biodiversity conservation strategy in Malaysia: A review from an Islamic perspective. Jurnal Hadhari, 4 (1), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.1080/17451590509618083
  5. Awazzadeh, A. M., & Bagheri, A. (2016). Protection of vegetation from the perspective of the Holy Quran and religious sources, Second National Conference on the Quran and Biological Sciences with a focus on healthy food (In Persian).
  6. Babaiyan, D & Babaiyan, S (2023). The Philosophy of Environmental Protection from the Perspective of Islam, Journal of Research in Biology Education, 4 (2), 3-18. https://bioedu.cfu.ac.ir/article_3009.html (In Persian).
  7. Bagader, A.; El-Sabbagh, A.; Al-Glayand, M. & Samarrai, M. (2011). ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN ISLAM (PART 1 OF 7): A GENERAL INTRODUCTION, The Religion ISLAM.
  8. Barati, A.M., & Taghizadeh, Z. (2024). Review of the international responsibility of states for the protection and sustainable use of the environment and biodiversity in the sea beyond national jurisdiction based on UN resolution 2023, Journal of Oceanography, 14 (55), 115-133. https://doi.org/10.52547/joc.14.55.9 (In Persian).
  9. Bird, A. (2011). Third State Responsibility for Human Rights Violations, EJIL, 21 (4), 883–900.
  10. Blankinship, L. A.; Gillaspie, S., & Aboul‐Enein, B. H. (2025). Highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation through the Holy Qur'an. Conservation Biology, 39(1), e14309. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14309
  11. Bodansky D. (2015). Legally binding versus non-legally binding instruments. Towards a workable and effective climate regime. Centre for Economic Policy Research, London, pp. 155–165. https://paper.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2649630
  12. Bohringer A-M. (2016). Das neue Pariser Klimaubereinkommen: Eine Kompromisslosung mit Symbolkraft und Verhaltenssteuerungspotential. Zeitschrift fur auslandisches offentliches Recht und Volkerrecht, (76), 753–796. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=5657448
  13. Boyle, A. (1996). The rio convention on biological diversity. In: Bowman M, Redgwell C (eds) International law and the conservation of biological diversity. kluwer law International, Alphen aan den Rijn.
  14. Bragdon, S. H. (1992). National sovereignty and Global Environmental Responsibility: Can the Tension Be Reconciled for the Conservation of Biological Diversity?, Harvard International Law Journal, 33 (2), 381-392.
  15. Brunnee J. (2002). COPing with consent: law-making under multilateral environmental agreements. Leiden J Int Law (15), 1–52. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0922156502000018
  16. Chandra, A., & Idrisova, A. (2011). Convention on Biological Diversity: a review of national challenges and opportunities for implementation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 20, 3295-3316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0141-x
  17. Combacau, J., & Alland,, D., Primary and Secondary Rules in the Law of State Responsibility: Categorizing International Obligations, Netherlands Yearbook of International Law , Volume 16 , December 1985 , pp. 81 - 109, Published online: 07 July 2009 : by Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  18. Dussin, M. (2024). Exploring the potential of eco-Islamic values to mobilize public support for sustainability, blogs.lse.ac.uk.
  19. Ekardt F., & Hennig B. (2015). okonomische Instrumente Und Bewertungen Der Biodiversitat: Lehren Fur Den Naturschutz Aus Dem Klimaschutz? Metropolis-Verlag, Marburg.
  20. Ekardt F.; Wieding J., & Zorn A. (2018). Paris agreement, precautionary principle and human rights: zero emissions in two decades? Sustainability 10:2812. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082812
  21. Ekardt F., & Zorn A. (2018). Ozeanversauerung, Meeresumweltrecht, Klimavolkerrecht und die Menschenrechte. In: Reiff P (eds). Jahrbuch des Umwelt- und Technikrechts, pp 67–98. https://www.sustainability-justice-climate.eu
  22. Fallah Nezhad F., & Mousavi Mobarake M. (2023). Study compensation for environmental damage in the legal system of Iran and the People's republic of China, Comparative Law Review, 14 (2), 937-964. https://doi.com/10.22059/JCL.2023.357487.634487 (In Persian).
  23. Gershon, L. (2020). An Islamic Approach to Environmentalism, DAILY.
  24. Hagerman SM, Pelai R. (2016). “As far as possible and as appropriate”: implementing the aichi biodiversity targets. Conserv Lett (9), 469–478.
  25. Halewood, M., & Nnadozie, K. (2012). Giving priority to the commons: The international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. In The Future Control of Food (pp. 115-140). Routledge.
  26. Hasim, N. A.; Amin, L.; Mahadi, Z., & Yusof, N. A. M. (2022). Islamic ethical principles to protect environment affected by modern biotechnology. International Journal of Islamic Thought, (21), 106-117. https://doi.org/10.24035/ijit.21.2022.230
  27. Jafari, A. R.; Rahimi Dadovaklaei, A.; Fadaei, M. A., & Namdar Azad Goleh, S (2016). The importance of biodiversity of plants and animals from the perspective of the Holy Quran, Second National Conference on Interdisciplinary Research on the Quran and Biological Sciences.
  28. Kia Daliri, M. (2016). The Role of Religion in Saving the Environment, The First International Conference on Natural Hazards and Environmental Crises in Iran, Solutions and Challenges (In Persian).
  29. Krohn S.N. (2002). Die Bewahrung tropischer Regenwalder durch volkerrechtliche Kooperationsmechanismen: Moglichkeiten und Grenzen der Ausgestaltung eines Rechtsregimes zur Erhaltung von Waldokosystemen dargestellt am Beispiel tropischer Regenwalder. Duncker und Humblot, Berlin.
  30. Leslie C. Green, (1996). State Responsibility and Civil Reparation for Environmental Damage, in Richard J. Grunawalt, John E. King & Ronald S. McClain (eds.), Protection of the Environment During Armed Conflict, ILS, 69 (1).
  31. Liang, B. A. (2011). Global governance: Promoting biodiversity and protecting indigenous communities against biopiracy. Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, 17 (3), 248-253. https://doi.org/10.1057/jcb.2011.16
  32. Lim M (2021). Biodiversity 2050: can the convention on biological diversity deliver a world living in harmony with nature? Yearbook of International Environmental Law.
  33. Menioui, M. (2018). Biological diversity in Morocco. In Global biodiversity (pp. 133-171). Apple Academic Press.
  34. Moghoofehei, M & Ranjbar, E & Azadbakht, F (2011). The Responsibility of States for Environmental Pollution in the Light of the Normative Hierarchy of the International Law System, Scientific Research Journal of Medical Law, 15 (56), 882-865. https://ijmedicallaw.ir/article-1-1368-fa.html (In Persian).
  35. Nawaz, S. (2020). Conservation of Plants and Trees in the Light of Prophetic Teachings. Journal of Islamic and Religious Studies, 5 (1), 65-84. https://doi.org/10.36476/JIRS.5:1.06.2020.16
  36. Norouzi, M. (2025). The interrelationship between international humanitarian law and international criminal law, Hamedan: Bu-Ali sina University Publishing Center (In Persian).
  37. Oveissi, K. (2021). A Comparative Study of Natural Environmental Teachings in Islam and Zoroastrianism with Emphasis on the Quran and Vendidad, Journal of Comparative Theology, 12 (25), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.22108/COTH.2020.117934.1307 (In Persian).
  38. Peter, L. D., & Kaszuba, M. (2002). Implementing the precautionary principle. Science of the total environment, 288 (1-2), 155-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(01)01107-X
  39. Pourhashmi, S A, Dabiri, F, Khalatbari, Y & Zarei, S (2016). Formation and development of the concept of "rights of future generations" in international environmental law, Quarterly Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 18 (3), 180-165. https://sanad.iau.ir/fa/Article/839742?FullText (In Persian).
  40. Prip, C. (2018). The Convention on Biological Diversity as a legal framework for safeguarding ecosystem services. Ecosystem Services, (29), 199-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.02.015
  41. Qureshi, N.; Ali, S., & Ali, M. (2024). Role of Humans in the Protection of the Environment: An Analysis in the Light of the Quran. Al-Mahdi Research Journal (MRJ), 5(5), 226-232. https://ojs.mrj.com.pk/index.php/MRJ/article/view/454
  42. Redwan, A. (2024). When the Earth Speaks Against Us: Environmental Ethics in Islam, yaqeeninstitute.
  43. Ring I, Schroter-Schlaack C (eds) (2011). Instrument mixes for biodiversity policies. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig
  44. Ritchie H. (2022). How many species are there? In: Our World in Data.
  45. Rose, G. (2002). International Law of Sustainabel Agriculture in the 21st Century. Int'l Envtl. L. Rev., (15), 583-632. https://ro.uow.edu.au/lawpapers/29
  46. Sarnowski, J. (2023). 2023: The first step in protecting the elusive high seas, The OCEAN FOUNDATION, https://oceanfdn.org/fa/2023-a-first-step-in-protecting-the-elusive-high-seas/
  47. Sénit, A., & Biermann, F. (2021). In Whose Name Are You Speaking? The Marginalization of the Poor in Global Civil Society. Global Policy, 12 (5), 581-591. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12997
  48. Westley, F., & Vredenburg, H. (1997). Interorganizational collaboration and the preservation of global biodiversity. Organization Science, 8 (4), 381-403. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.8.4.381
  49. Wilkinson, J. B. (1999). The state role in biodiversity conservation. Issues in Science and Technology, 15 (3), 71-77.
  50. Wittig R.; Niekisch M. (2014). Biodiversitat: grundlagen, gefahrdung, Schutz, 2014th edn. Berlin and Heidelberg, Springer Spektrum
  51. Yunus, S.M. (2024). What are teachings of Islam on Environmental Protection?, ISLAMICITY.
Comparative Law Review
Volume 17, Issue 1 - Serial Number 33
Spring & Summer 2026
August 2026
Pages 349-377