Is social work really greening? Exploring the place of sustainability and environment in social work codes of ethics

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Bowles, Wendy;Boetto, Heather;Jones, Peter;McKinnon, Jennifer
Abstract

This article examines the extent to which issues of environmental sustainability are represented in three national social work codes of ethics – the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. These national codes are discussed and implications for social work are analysed with a view to strengthening the profession's position regarding environmental sustainability. Findings suggest that national codes do not include concern for environmental sustainability as a core professional concern. The authors make recommendations for developing ethical practice and further argue that the international professional body of social work, the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), should take a fundamental leadership role in advocating for environmental sustainability.

Journal

International Social Work

Publication Name

International Social Work

Volume

61

ISBN/ISSN

1461-7234

Edition

N/A

Issue

4

Pages Count

15

Location

N/A

Publisher

Sage Publications

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1177/0020872816651695