Triple Bottom Line

Triple bottom line (TBL) emphasizes corporate social responsibility. It nudges organizations to consider social and environmental impacts along with the obsession for profits. TBL recommends focussing equally on the three Ps: people, profit, and the planet.

In 1994, John Elkington developed TBL as an accounting framework. Elkington was an entrepreneur and author. TBL aims to incorporate sustainable accounting in business, i.e., in social, environmental, and economic aspects. Amidst growing societal pressure, all businesses want to appear green. But not all are willing to sacrifice profits. Greenwashing is TBL's biggest challenge.

• The triple bottom line (TBL) method postulates the adoption of social, environmental, and economic elements into financial objectives.
• TBL also emphasizes profits; businesses have a responsibility to pay for their lenders, operational creditors, and employees.
• Companies have to make sure that the vicinity is clean and that their operations don't affect the environment adversely. The dumping of toxic waste is a controversial issue highlighted by TBL. Sustainable disposal of waste costs much higher.

The triple bottom line (TBL) framework makes an organization realize its responsibilities towards society and ecology. It is all about accountability for the overall effect of the company's business practices and contribution towards non-profitable aspects.

The bottom line is the ultimate aim for businesses. Most businesses operate with the sole purpose of turning a profit. However, TBL theory focuses on the 3Ps that makes firms socially responsible:

1. People: Companies are liable for the well-being of society and its people. Thus, TBL measures the extent to which an organization contributes socially.
2. Profits: It is every company’s responsibility to pay its lenders, operational creditors, and employees.
3. Planet: It is concerned with the location, i.e., the area, city, or state in which the company is located. Companies have to make sure that the vicinity is clean. They must ensure that their operations don't affect the environment adversely.

Now, let us walk you through the three aspects of TBL:

1. Social Sustainability: It is a part of corporare social responsibility (CSR), businesses must focus on community, social surroundings, and internal resources. This is measured by the investment made on labor compensation and the company's profits from it.
2. Environmental Sustainability: It emphasizes business practices that cause the least damage to the environment.
3. Economic Sustainability: The economic aspect measures the financial performance and profitability of the business. Additionally, it measures the business’ contribution towards the overall economy and the growth of its industry.

Following are real-life examples of TBL.

#1 - Unilever

Unilever's positive beauty vision claims to improve its system for its beauty and personal care brands. The company has brought in new laws, policies, and social norms to benefit people and society.

Unilever's People Positive program includes the "Self-Esteem" initiative by Dove. This movement aims to eliminate discrimination based on people's color and physical attributes. Similarly, Lifebuoy's Handwashing Education project spreads awareness about washing hands correctly—a movement that gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: https://www.unilever.com/

#2 - DHL

DHL Global Forwarding has developed its GoGreen Solutions to make the supply chain more eco-friendly. DHL is a leading logistics company. DHL claims that it employs sustainable logistic options for its clients. This way, the company reduces transport-related waste, emissions, and other environmental hazards.

Source: https://twitter.com/

Given below are the various benefits of the triple bottom line:

• Profit and CSR Go Hand in Hand: The TBL theory reminds businesses that social and ecological concerns cannot be overlooked.  
• Spreads Environmental Awareness: When a business contributes towards the environment, it inspires competitors, consumers, employees, and customers to become eco-friendly themselves. Big brands leading by example sends a powerful message.
• Business Becomes More Meaningful: Following the TBL ideology, companies are basically redistributing their yields to those who helped them earn, i.e., nature and society. TBL aggressively promotes sustainable development.
• Attracts New Customers and Investors: Companies that adopt sustainable methods attract both investors and customers. Cultural trends have made TBL a profitable option owing to the positive PR. Everyone wants to work with a firm that wants to preserve nature.

TBL is not easy to implement; therefore, many companies refrain from incorporating this concept into their business. Thus, given below are some of the significant challenges :

1. Low Recognition: Companies often neglect the TBL concept since it hinders their financial goals and profit-making strategies. Eco-friendly practices like recycling waste may cost the firm higher than normal.
2. Quantifying the Social and Environmental Aspects: Everything is factual and quantifiable when it comes to financial accounting. However, it isn't very easy to measure the social and environmental impact of a business.
3. Legally Compulsive at Times: The legislation of certain states or countries forces companies to inculcate socio-economic objectives.
4. Greenwashing: Many corporates around the globe use TBL as a marketing strategy which results in ingenuine efforts towards the betterment of society and the ecology. In other words, everyone wants to appear green as long as profits remain intact.
5. Clashing Objectives: The three elements of TBL contradict themselves. It is tough to allocate human, financial, and material resources evenly.  
6. Difficult to Implement: TBL is highly impractical amidst a corporate culture where businesses are least bothered about nature and society.

This article has been a guide to What is Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and its Definition. Here we discuss TBL sustainability, challenges, examples, and benefits. You may learn more about financing from the following articles -

• Social Accounting
• Social Audit
• Capitalist Economy
• Economic Inequality