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Policy Making Code of Practice (Proposed)

A Code of Practice for policy making is needed because of the widespread errors in policy making in climate change and other areas.

Having a code of practice is common in many complex areas.

The proposed Code of Practice (v. 1.1)

Clarity of aim
- whether a policy put forward is based on facts and fairness, or is merely lobbying in order to promote a vested interest

Honesty
- telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, avoiding both exagerration and self-censoring

Transparency and reproducibility
- giving all sources, and checking all references, and giving enough detail for a reasonable person to reach the same conclusion

Compliance with commitments
- explaining how there is compliance with all obligations including legal obligations and international commitments, or justifying why there is not

Accuracy
- avoiding unreliable sources and all forms of misthinking, including cognitive biases, denial, and pseudoscience

Consensus and inclusivity
- aiming for a consensus of all reasonable people, and addressing all genuine concerns

Robust
- including common objections and answering them satisfactorily

Openness
- being open to scrutiny, challenge and correction

Giving leadership
- being willing to promote high standards and challenge errors

Why a Code of Practice is needed

  • nobody is satisfied with the current methods of policy making
  • current methods are resulting in many errors

The scope of the proposed Code of Practice

Organisations and individuals putting forward
  • full policy documents
  • policy modifications

The basis for the proposed Code of Practice

This is
  • Nolan's 7 Principles of Public Life [1]
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  • the Science Oath for the Climate of Scientists for Global Responsibility [2]
  • standard recommendations for writing scientific papers
  • ethical standards of truth-telling in health care.

References

[1]The UK's Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.carbonindependent.org/41.html
[2] Scientists for Global Responsibility Science Oath for the Climate https://www.sgr.org.uk/projects/science-oath-climate-text-and-signing


Started: 23 Dec 2025
Last updated: 27 Dec 2025     Page No: 196