A code of conduct for environmental and biodiversity scientists

There are thousands of codes of conduct in workplaces. However, most are general for all employees and do not address the behaviour of scientists conducting fieldwork and associated activities. Thus, through consultation with many colleagues within and outside the Global Earth Observation Biodiversity Observation Network, we synthesised a proposed code of practice for researchers. This is applicable to people working in environmental sciences, including ecology, biogeography, geology and associated subjects involving fieldwork. This code of conduct recommends that scientists: Respect all people, nature and laws Challenge inappropriate behaviour and misinformation Maintain their integrity and be accountable Minimise impacts on wildlife and habitats Publish their findings with full acknowledgements