A code for sustainable ethics

Here is a practical, easy to read code of ethics. It is for sustainable ethics but pertains to many aspects of practical ethics in other areas of lives, business and CoPs.
I will use Atkinsson's framework and add my own comments.

1. Walk your talk.
It is no use having a code of ethics collecting dust on a bookshelf somewhere. Ethics is a practice rather than merely a cognitive process. Modelling ethical behaviour and showing that it is possible is fundamental to practical ethics.

2. Keep up to date.
As information and knowledge is changing more rapidly, better, smarter, more ethical ways of going about business need to be made available and put into action. This is an important aspect of professional ethics

3. Tell the truth about the trends, as you see it.
Tell the truth anyway, saves having to remember and maintain the lie and may create a sense of trust

4. Share information, and credit, with other professionals.
This is the professional attitude that goes back to the Hippocratic oath. Knowledge locked away is irrelevant. One does need to respect confidentiality, as in medical practice and the laws of privacy.

5. Prioritize cooperation over competition, and impact over income.
This is the cornerstone of a CoP, knowledge organisations and learning communities.It is our evolutionary advantage.

6. Make referrals to other professionals whenever appropriate.
This is the networking option, makes for more fluid boundaries but also increases marketing outcomes.
7. Tithe to the volunteers.
Such an old fashioned concept, currently resurrected as Corporate Social Responsibility.

8. Explain your ethical choices.
Be transparent in all actions, have an ethical audit and ethical portfolio. Why not advertise good behaviour? Perhaps it is contagious, we know that it has a multiplier effect. The market for sustainable, green and ethical business and investments is ever increasing.
9. Consider the systemic impacts of your advice and actions.
Systemic thinking is important for professionals but stakeholder theory is also valuable from an economic and ethical point of view.
10. Seek to do no harm.
No harm versus minimal harm versus utilitarian principles of greatest good?Therein lies the crux of all ethical problems. If there was a no harm option then the decision would be too easy.

Reference

Atkinsson, A. (2007). A Code of Ethics for Sustainability Professionals. Worldchanging Retrieved 24/12/2007, from http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/007512.html