Triple bottom line

Olubukola Tokede and Sruthii Venkata Subaramani

Chapter 176 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, 2026, pp 660-664 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, introduced by John Elkington, emphasizes sustainability through three interconnected dimensions: environmental, social, and economic responsibility. Widely adopted by organisations and policymakers, TBL promotes balancing these dimensions – referred to as “People, Planet, and Profit” – to achieve sustainable development. Initially an accounting tool, TBL has expanded into a guiding framework for sustainability assessment, influencing methodologies like Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). However, criticisms persist, including the overemphasis on environmental aspects, limited stakeholder involvement, and challenges in achieving long-term outcomes. TBL underpins LCSA by integrating Life Cycle Costing (LCC), environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). Despite advancements, S-LCA remains underdeveloped compared to LCC and LCA. The TBL framework remains a robust conceptual tool, encouraging holistic sustainability evaluations while highlighting the need for comprehensive methodologies and enhanced data integration to address the evolving complexities of global sustainability challenges.

Keywords: Triple bottom line; LCSA; LCA; S-LCA; LCC; CSR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309887
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