Ethics in Practice: Creating a new Code of Practice for LI members

by Ben Gosling

Three years in the making, the new Landscape Institute Code of Practice embeds internationally recognised ethics principles into UK landscape practice – a huge milestone in the realisation of a global landscape community.

In October 2014, the United Nations headquarters on New York’s East 42nd Street hosted the inaugural meeting of the International Ethics Standards (IES) Coalition. Its mission: to temper the global real estate profession – integral as it is to societies and communities, and responsible as it is for two thirds of the planet’s wealth – with a shared set of ethics principles.

The Coalition published its ethical framework for the global property market in December 2016. The following month, the Landscape Institute became the first organisation in the landscape sector to join the IES Coalition. Thus began the journey towards our new Code of Practice.

Joining the Coalition represented a shift in perspective for the LI. In an increasingly connected, global society, the profile of a profession hinges on how it can answer global challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, resource security, population growth, and more. An ethics framework is one of many tools that helps us ‘think

globally’ when delivering services locally, implementing infrastructure that meets global needs consistently, ethically, and with integrity.

In 2019, the LI brought to the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) World Council a proposal for a shared a set of global ethical principles for landscape. The draft principles found overwhelming support among members, and in

October 2021, achieved formal ratification.

The LI’s new Code of Practice updates our 2012 Code of Conduct in line with these global principles. Emphasising encouragement over enforcement, it provides a supportive, modern framework for practitioners to deliver the best possible service.

President of the Landscape Institute, Jane Findlay comments:

Jane Findlay, Landscape Institute President

I’m thrilled that our new Code of Practice is now here, supporting our members to deliver the very highest standards of practice at such a crucial time for our profession.

In aligning us with IFLA’s global ethics principles, this new Code cements us as part of a global community of landscape professionals – one that stands ready to tackle today’s foremost challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health and wellbeing.

The language in the Code has also undergone some much-needed modernisation. It’s not about monitoring behaviour, but about helping our members deliver quality work. It’s not about enforcing compliance, but about supporting it.

With regular reviews planned, this Code of Practice will continue to underpin and champion global ethical practice, ensure public confidence in landscape, and promote environmental wellbeing for years to come.

At a glance: Changes in the new Code of Practice

– Modern and supportive: Emphasising practice rather than ‘conduct’, the new Code focuses on supporting best practice rather than monitoring behaviour. The LI has removed outdated language.

– Clear and concise: The new Code clearly explains its purpose and processes. It clearly divides standards into Rules and Guidance, providing a clear and consistent point of reference. Where duplication existed in previous standards, the new Code merges them, reducing the overall number.

– Internationally relevant: With language genericised and reference to specific legislation removed, the Code is applicable and easy to monitor internationally. New rules emphasise modern global best practice including environmental enhancement, service quality, conflict of interest, data protection, equity, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable development.

Find out more about the new LI Code of Practice at: www.landscapeinstitute.org/ about/professionalconduct.