Sustainable Character Formation in Eco-Pesantren: a Linguistic and Spiritual Ecology Perspective Under the SDGs Framework

Introduction: This paper aims to discuss the function of the spiritual ecological concepts in establishing the character of the santri (students) at the represented eco-pesantren in Madura, East Java, Indonesia. Pedagogical integration involving this type of study embraces the contexts of students and teachers and focuses on the special subject of Islamic schools, also known as eco-pesantren. Method: This qualitative case study sought to explain how the subject was taught and incorporated messages of ethical and environmental learning, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Results: Research evidence indicates that the spiritual theological concepts of ‘khalifah’ (steward) and ‘amanah’ (mandate) for environmental responsibility, along with relevant sayings from the Quran and Hadiths shared in pesantren, nurture the santri’s environmental consciousness. This aligns with the SDG objectives of fostering education that promotes sustainability and responsible resource use. The incorporation of ecological terminology into religious education and sermons strengthens ecological values, supporting the goals of sustainable development. In raising awareness about the environment, eco-pesantren offer both spiritual and ecological learning to the santri, contributing to the broader SDG mission of cultivating responsible, informed individuals who respect and protect the environment.