This article considers the role and relevance of environmental ethics for engineers criteria that a code or other system of environmental ethics should meet and how best the engineering . We have used this book manuscript form as supplemental reading in our environmental engineering classes at duke university the discussion of ethics is usually reserved for the final few days of class when the students should start asking so what about course material we respond to this question by covering the principles of ethics in one lecture and spending two or more sessions . In the past engineers have generally sought and implemented technical solutions to problems posed by other people and not considered ethical issues related to the environmental and social impacts of solving these problems engineering ethics has largely been concerned with professionalism and responsibility for technical competence rather than wider social and environmental issues. Abstract in the past engineers have generally sought and implemented technical solutions to problems posed by other people and not considered ethical issues related to the environmental and social impacts of solving these problems engineering ethics has largely been concerned with professionalism and responsibility for technical competence rather than wider social and environmental issues