Explain the concept of the 3Ps/TBL and how it can be used by an organization.

Trying to measure how sustainable an organization was used to be challenging undertaking. How-ever, during the 1990s, a concept brought up by American John Elkington change the way sustainability was measured. This framework is known as the triple bottom line (TBL) and measures sustainability in relation to organizational performance and investment against the 3Ps (1) Profits (2) People (3) Planet. For example;

Profit: A packaging manufacturer reinventing its profits in a State- of-the-art recycling machinery for it wasted cardboard.

People: A large privately owned call center donate its end of life computers to a local youth clubs and social groups to help gain internet cases.

Planet: A driving instructors using only hybrid vehicles to teach her learners, thus to reducing Co2 emission.

The TBL, although a useful tool, is simply a way of recording how sustainable an organization is. Alone, it does not contribute towards any improvements or generate any actions promoting a more favorable, sustainable outlook. Objectives should be set in relation to what the 3Ps show and then monitored by implementing KPIs or other measuring methods.