Triple Bottom Line

Sustainability consists of three pillars: social, environmental, and economic. All three pillars must be addressed to attain the most sustainable outcome. The triple bottom line has also been referred to by the three E’s: environment, economics and equity. Or, in the business world: planet, people, and profit.

Social sustainability refers to supporting communities that are equitable, diverse, and provide a good quality of life to create healthy and livable communities in addition to understanding the impact that people and businesses have on society.

Environmental sustainability is interacting with the planet in a responsible manner to maintain the natural resources, so future generations are able to live an equal or better life. Alternatively, environmental sustainability involves balancing between the two complex systems of human nature and the living planet, so that the quality of human life is improved without maximizing the earth’s carrying capacity.

Economic sustainability involves participating in practices that support long term economic growth without negatively impacting social and environmental elements, and the ability to maintain a defined level of economic production.