We at ISIS Academy believe that sustainability work is different from other kinds of consulting work, and we have adopted the AtKisson Group’s professional Code of Ethics. These principles have already been guiding our own practice for years; now, we hope to recruit other sustainability professionals to adopt something similar. Your thoughts on this are welcome; please write to us via the Contact Us link on this website.
1. Walk the talk
We cannot promote change in others if we are not striving to exemplify that change in our own personal and professional lives.
2. Keep up to date
As practitioners, we have a responsibility to keep learning and constantly informing ourselves about the science and practice of sustainability and change agentry.
3. Tell the truth about what is happening, as you see it
In a world of great media noise and confusion, where sustainability issues and global concerns must compete for attention, be clear about what you believe to be the most important trends to be addressed, and why.
4. Share information and credit with other professionals
Client confidentiality must always be respected; but if we hoard information regarding new ideas, the development of new methods, or relevant activity in the market, the progress of sustainability is itself impaired. Overall progress is also impaired when we use the work of other people without appropriate permission or citation, and thereby sow seeds of resentment that reduce collaboration.
5. Prioritize cooperation over competition, and impact over income
In the community of sustainability practice, seek first for opportunities to work together with others and build on complementary strengths, rather than to compete for primacy; and give the opportunity to make change greater weight than the opportunity to make money.
6. Make professional referrals whenever appropriate
If someone else, or a different methodology, would be significantly more effective at meeting a specific client‘s needs than what you can offer, make the client aware of that option.
7. When working as a professional, support the students and the volunteers
Donate some portion of your time and your revenues to educational, voluntary or non-profit initiatives that are advancing the practice or goals of sustainability.
8. Explain your ethical choices
Be transparent about the criteria you use for structuring your practice and for choosing your professional engagements.
9. Consider the systemic impacts of your advice and actions
Sustainability professionals have a special obligation to think systemically, and to take into account the potential impacts of what they recommend or do, beyond the boundaries of the system in which they are operating.
10. Seek to do no harm
In working with clients and promoting change, seek to avoid actions and interventions that may cause lasting damage to people, community, and organizational health.
