I. Applicability and Definitions
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Institute contributes to the development of a successful GHG market by building and guiding professional behavior. Acceptance and adherence to this Code of Conduct is a requirement for Members of the GHG Management Institute ("Member").
This Code is applicable to anyone providing GHG products and services, defined as including but not necessarily limited to:

Instructional products or services, communication or media products or services, software and other information technology products or services, investment or financial products or services related to GHG emissions and/or removals measurement, accounting, auditing, or management;
Products marketed or advertised in any way based on their GHG emissions and/or removals-related performance, including but not limited to technologies, programs, offsts and allowances;
Services, including but not limited to advocacy and legal work, related to GHG emissions and/or removals measurement, accounting, auditing, policy or management; and
Analyses, plans, studies or other work products or services related to GHG emissions and/or removals measurement, accounting, auditing, policy or management.

This Code is additional to and does not replace existing codes, policies, by-laws, regulations or other such requirements and guidance the Member may be required to respect and uphold.

II. Professional Care
A Member has a duty of professional care, defined as performance at a level of fidelity and skill expected from a competent and prudent practitioner in similar circumstances. A Member has this duty to:

the public and the environment;
the Member’s customers;
the Member’s employer;
the Member’s investors;
the Member’s associates in the Greenhouse Gas Management Institute;
the Greenhouse GasManagement Institute; and,
the Member himself or herself.

A Member shall act at all times with professional care, good judgement, competence, integrity, trust and ethical conduct in accordance with the scope of GHG products and services for which the Member is responsible.

A Member shall, based on verifiable evidence, report unethical, illegal or unprofessional conduct to the appropriate authorities and, if necessary, to affected parties to which a duty of professional care is obliged.

A Member shall not misrepresent or provide false information about GHG products or services.

Misconduct by a Member is subject to disciplinary action by the GHG Management Institute up to and including suspension from the GHG Management Institute.

III. Competency
A Member shall not offer or provide GHG products and services for which he or she, or the organization he or she represents, does not possess adequate competence, experience, qualifications and resources.

A Member shall be prepared to demonstrate voluntarily that he or she, and as appropriate the organization he or she represents, possesses adequate competence, experience, qualifications and resources to provide GHG products and services. A Member shall not misrepresent or provide false information about his or her competencies, experience or qualifications.

A Member shall maintain professional qualifications and competencies with current accepted standards of practice and remain in good standing with the GHG Management Institute.

A Member shall be responsible to inform himself or herself of and to follow current codes, standards, policies, rules, bylaws, regulations and laws that govern the provision of GHG products and services that he or she is offering or providing.

Competency requirements may be defined in accordance with the programs and other such authorities under which the Member offers or provides GHG products or services. In the event no such program or authority exists, the GHG Management Institute may define competency requirements for Members.

IV. Conflict of Interest
A Member shall avoid or disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest that may influence the Member's actions or judgment in relation to the Member’s duty of professional care and provision of GHG products and services.

Conflict of interest requirements may be defined in accordance with the programs and other such authorities under which the Member offers or provides GHG products or services. In the event no such program or authority exists, the GHG Management Institute may define conflict of interest requirements for Members.

Addendum

Notices

As the GHG Management Institute launches professional programs and certification, certified professionals of the GHG Management Institute will be required to accept and adhere to the Code and any amendments.
This Code has been drafted to be compatible with GHG programs and initiatives, and is therefore program-neutral. The GHG Management Institute is currently developing, in consultation with stakeholders, additional requirements to supplement this Code and assist in its interpretation and application. Specifically, the following issues will be addressed through elaboration of these additional requirements:

Definition of terms;
Elaboration of specific competency standards for major professional categories;
Definition of conflict of interest requirements; and
Establishment of provisions and institutions for Code compliance monitoring and enforcement;

References for Further Guidance
The following references offer guidance that may assist in the interpretation and application of this Code.

The Illinois Institute of Technology’s Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions has compiled several examples of Codes of Ethics and Conduct. This information is available at: http://ethics.iit.edu/index1.php/Programs/

The Climate Registry General Verification Protocol, 2008 contains information specific to GHG verification and conflict of interest requirements. This information is available at: http://www.theclimateregistry.org/downloads/GVP.pdf