Green Waqf Framework

The  Indonesia  Waqf  Board  (BWI)  in  collaboration  with  United Nations  Development  Programme  (UNDP-lndonesia),  Waqf  Center for  Indonesian  Development  and  Studies   (WaCIDS),   Green  Waqf  Organization, proposed a Green Waqf Framework,  which covers the concept, stages,  successful  indicators,  stakeholder mapping,  and policy  implications for future development of Green Waqf in  Indonesia,  based on experiences of related stakeholders in  Indonesia.

Chapter 1  elaborates existing  climate and energy  issues  in  Indonesia as well  as challenge on financing  the programs related to aforementioned  issues, especially to fulfill Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NOC) for Paris Agreement. From that background, opportunities of Green Waqf implementation are highlighted as part of solution to overcome environmental issues, including climate and energy as mentioned earlier.

Chapter 2 explains concept of waqf and its  potential to solve environmental  and social  welfare problems.  In general, waqf is defined as donated property used for the benefit specified by the donor, in which the purpose must be benevolent,  normally serving community interests. Waqf principles, i.e., i)  perpetuity; ii) irrevocability; and iii) inalienability, great potential charity tool for forming solid not-for-profit organizations that can address  a variety of social needs in both Muslim  and non-Muslim societies. Related with environmental issues, waqf may be utilized  in form of (but  not limited to) land trust committed  in perpetuity to support charitable objectives, like agricultural and range research, wildlife propagation, public cisterns, and gardens, or in the form of a fund to finance such projects. Meanwhile,  in terms of social  welfare  issues,  waqf may tackle financial difficulties driven  social problems such as poverty,  access  for education and healthcare as well as financial assistance for community development programs.

Chapter 3 focuses on Green Waqf Framework. Green Waqf itself is defined as the utilization of a waqf asset to support the attainment of ecological balance and sustainability, while also providing a social and economic impact for society. This chapter also discusses four stages proposed to ensure implementation of Green Waqf Framework,  namely:  i)  preconditional  stage;  ii) consolidation  stage;  iii) project development  stage;  and  iv) mainstreaming stage. Each stage contains stakeholders’ mapping and steps taken towards implementation.

Chapter 4 provides business model foundation for Green Waqf Project implementation, including stakeholders’ mapping   and  analysis,  which mainly  consists   of  Islamic  finance-related  stakeholders  and  green-related stakeholders.  Also,   a  pilot   project   on tamanu  plantation   is  proposed.   Tamanu/Nyamplung/Calophyllum inophyllum  is  pioneer plant,  meaning that it  is  suitable to  be planted  in  barren  land or any harsh condition, with potential for both land restoration  and as an alternative source  of biodiesel. Also,  proposed  budget and steps-taken for the pilot project is elaborated in this chapter.

Chapter 5 elaborates  several  evidence-based  practices  on environmental  related waqf projects,  including cases in  Indonesia (Waqf Forest  and Berbagi  Listrik Projects) as well  as global cases  (Kuwait  Company for Environmental Services and Piped Water System in Shiraz City).

Chapter 6 summarizes  policy  recommendations to support implementation  of Green Waqf  Framework for main stakeholders related, including government, waqf authorities, religious scholars, and  higher education institutions, as well  as recommendations  on technical aspects for implementation.