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| category | date | draft | posttype | slug | title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [2 environment future plan sustainability] | 2021-01-27 11:19:03 | false | note | 60114c27 | note |
While reading アフリカの奇跡 by Yoshiyuki Sato, I came across with the term Triple Bottom Line (TBL). It was briefly explained in the book and I found it interesting, so I decided to do a little research on it.
The term was coined by John Elkington, who is often described as "Godfather of Sustainability," in 1994. The TBL is an accounting framework that measures performance in business in three dimensions: finance (profits), social (people) and environmental (planet). The TBL dimensions are often called the three Ps.
There is no universally accepted method for calculating the three dimensions of the TBL (some advocate a monetary unit, other suggest an index). Collecting applicable data for calculation is also challenging.
While measuring the three Ps is challenging, the concept in return leaves a flexibility for those who have the stomach to use the concept to gauge sustainability as they can apply the concept according to their specific needs and priorities. Particularly, the flexibility allows local projects and communities to encourage economic development growth in a sustainable manner.
I am intrigued to learn more how small businesses and small communities may apply the TBL framework. Also, books by John Elkington, some of which are available in the UoE library, seem interesting.
Reference:
Slaper, Timothy F, & Hall, Tanya J. (2011). The triple bottom line: What is it and how does it work? Indiana Business Review, 86(1), 4.