Transdisciplinary Resource Management for Environmental Resilience in Emerging Economies: Insights From A Theological Perspective

Abstract

This paper advances a transdisciplinary framework that integrates theology and resource management to foster environmental resilience in emerging economies. Existing approaches to sustainability often rely on fragmented disciplinary models that inadequately address socio-ecological complexities and cultural realities. Drawing on ecological science, social dynamics, policy innovation, and theological ethics, the study highlights the under-explored role of faith-based perspectives, particularly eco-theology, spiritual ecology, and Indigenous eco-spirituality in shaping environmental behavior, community mobilisation, and intergenerational responsibility. Case studies from Nigeria, Kenya, and Brazil illustrate how religious institutions and networks function as ethical anchors, advocacy platforms, and agents of ecological transformation. The proposed framework situates theological values within transdisciplinary governance, thereby bridging scientific knowledge, cultural legitimacy, and spiritual motivation. This contribution enriches sustainability science by offering an ethically grounded, context-sensitive approach that strengthens resilience, advances environmental justice, and expands the epistemological base of global sustainability debates.