Describe the Triple Bottom Line

Question 1:

Describe the triple bottom line.

Simply stated, the triple bottom line is a framework in which companies, including government agencies, use to measure sustainability. This framework consist of three areas of particular interest; people, planet, and profit.

Businesses around the world have changed their priorities to focus on the triple bottom line because of the realization of its importance. Each of the three has an impact on the nation from a global perspective.

When it comes to the people aspect of sustainability more businesses are finding innovative methods to ensure they are not only meeting expectations of social responsibility, but surpassing those expectations; more encouraging, our government agencies are paying more attention to what role “people” play in sustainability, and thus catching up with other corporate entities, non-profit and for profit organizations.

The planet is measured by the company’s responsibility to the environment. I work for a government agency that by way of a government mandate for a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) shut down several buildings to integrate into one large building. This new state of the art building now house nearly 10,000 people and has been award the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification in Building Design and Construction, Interior Design and Construction, as well as Building Operations and Maintenance. “Companies seek LEED certification for their buildings and mold a reputation for being a business that is friendly to the world (Wheelen, Hunger, Hoffman, & Bamford, 2015).” In order to be awarded such certifications you must adhere to strict guidelines that alters ones thinking about building designs, structure and operations. Meaning, how will the building be designed for water use, what will be the best way to design the build to use electricity efficiently, and how will waste be handled; all these things are important to the environment.

Lastly,...