Code of Professional Conduct

Your membership is all about demonstrating and celebrating your professional credibility, so it’s important that everyone knows and understands what you, as an IEMA member, stand for.

The IEMA Code of Professional Conduct is a framework of seven behaviours which set out how we behave as part of this profession, and what others should expect from us, and what we can ask of our fellow environment and sustainability professionals.

  • Demonstrate and advocate high standards of professional practice

    This means I will:

    • comply with all legal requirements as they apply to me, going beyond compliance where standards of professional practice dictate
    • safeguard confidential, sensitive and personal information, not seeking personal gain from such information
    • advise and influence organisations and individuals, helping them comply with all legal requirements and supporting them to adopt good practice
    • ensure others I assign or contract work to are skilled and competent to deliver
    • challenge unlawful or unprofessional behaviour, taking action as necessary
    • respect scientific methods and use Science-Based Targets and evidence whenever practical
    • fulfil responsibilities to employers and clients in a timely, cost-effective and accurate manner.

  • Apply my skills and experience to protect and enhance the environment, improve quality of life and contribute to sustainability

    This means I will:

    • recognise the specific needs of stakeholders, including the environment and society, and my responsibilities to them
    • make decisions and take action that avoids harm, and has a positive impact on the environment and society
    • communicate environmental or social concerns with regard to action or in-action when giving advice
    • inspire and support others to act sustainably and to adopt sustainable and resilient business practices.
    • hallenge unsustainable behaviour and activity, taking action where necessary
    • be innovative, drive change and challenge norms, to support the journey towards sustainability

  • Advocate and apply high ethical standards, acting with honesty, integrity and objectivity

    This means I will:

    • be honest, open and trustworthy in my professional conduct
    • apply my knowledge and skills to the best of my ability, even when it conflicts with the interests of employers or clients
    • declare conflicts of interest that may influence – or be perceived to influence – my objectivity.
    • communicate the reliability, accuracy and quality of data and information provided to others
    • be accountable for my actions and decisions.

  • Strive to ensure equality of opportunity and respect diversity in my professional activity

    This means I will:

    • treat others fairly
    • strive to ensure equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion, supporting human rights and dignity
    • act in a way that safeguards the physical and mental health, safety and wellbeing of others
    • be respectful of the customs, practices, culture and personal beliefs of others in my professional activity.

  • Act in accordance with my level of competence

    This means I will:

    • recognise the limits to my own professional competence
    • accept only work for which I am suitably skilled and have the resources to deliver
    • seek support and expert advice where I am required to stretch my professional competence
    • keep a record of my CPD and submit to IEMA on request.

  • Keep my knowledge and skills current, and continually develop my professional competence

    This means I will:

    • learn from my experience and reflect on my actions and decisions, so that I can improve my future performance
    • keep my knowledge and skills current and relevant, staying abreast of developments in professional and best practice
    • keep a record of my CPD and submit to IEMA on request.

  • Uphold the reputation of the profession

    This means I will:

    • always act in a way that upholds the reputation and values of my profession, doing nothing that would bring it into disrepute
    • demonstrate leadership qualities appropriate to my role and act as an ambassador for sustainability in all that I do
    • promote IEMA’s vision, values, mission and standing as the leading professional body for sustainability professionals
    • contribute to the development of my profession through my involvement with IEMA

Download IEMA's Code of Conduct as a PDF