IAPG (International Association for Promoting Geoethics), the following is adapted from their website, http://www.geoethics.org:
Geoethics consists of research and reflection on the values [that] underpin appropriate behaviours and practices, wherever human activities interact with the Earth system.
Geoethics deals with the ethical, social and cultural implications of geoscience knowledge, education, research, practice and communication, … .
Geoethics represents an opportunity for geoscientists to become more conscious of their social role and responsibilities in conducting their activity.
Geoethics is a tool to influence the awareness of society regarding problems related to geo-resources and [the] geo-environment.
Ethics and geoethics are fundamental to all disciplines, particularly to areas like sustainability, climate change and geo-issues, which often involve ordinary people, some of who may involuntarily be in situations of vulnerability. These ethics and geoethics dictate that we apply the same ethical standards to our learning interventions. We need to make sure that the learning methods that we use or encourage are truly ethical.