People

Sustainability
“The triple bottom line focuses corporations not just on the economic
value they add, but also on the environmental and social value they
add – and destroy. At its narrowest, the term ‘triple bottom line’ is
used as a framework for measuring and reporting corporate
performance against economic, social and environmental
parameters.”
- John Elkington, The Ecology of Tomorrow’s World (1980)
 Benefits
Recognition as a good corporate citizen

Enhanced brand or public reputation

Increased sales and customer loyalty

Increased ability to attract and retain employees

 Tools for Incorporating a Triple
Bottom Line Approach
•Mission
•Statement of values
• Leadership
• Employment Programs
• Policies and Procedures
Ethical screens
Environmental policies and management systems
Procurement Policies
Personnel Policies
Fundraising Policies
• Investments
• Corporate giving
• Development of innovative products
• Social and Environmental Auditing
 TATA IRON & STEEL CO. (TISCO)
Social Policies –
• Introduced world’s first 8-hours working day in 1912
• Housing for employees, schools, road-building etc as social
welfare policy.
• Smile Train – Free medical campaigning for rural people.
• Rista – This project provides education facilities to poor
citizen of India.
• Kabach – Medical guidance for HIV victims.
 TATA IRON & STEEL CO. (TISCO)
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES :
Maximum utilization of by product fuels in the steel
plant
Minimizing the waste generation
Re-designing plants with stringent pollution norms
Upgrading older pollution control equipment

EHS Management System: - Tata Steel is certified to

ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007.
 ECONOMICAL
Produces the cheapest steel in the world
3rd Quarter net profit up by 112 percent YOY
 Rs 1003 crore
A recent study by Stanford University shows that MBA graduates
will take $13K lower in annual salary to work for a ‘responsible’
company (CSR Reputation Effects on MBA Job Choice, Stanford
University, 2003).

Another study found that employees in companies with strong

sustainability programs are happier, more satisfied, and have
longer retention rates (Corporate Responsibility: Burden or
Opportunity, Business Week Research Services &
Grant Thompson, 2007).
Organizations avoiding regulatory issues, bad publicity, and angering special interest groups.
Leadership and the Triple Bottom Line.

T B L O U TCOMES & A DVANTAGES

Increased revenue/market share 28%

Increased employee retention 19%

Increased community support 17%

Reduced risk 17%

Other 11%

Positive public relations 6%

Reduced costs 3%

Ease of recruitment 0%

No advantage 0%
Defining Sustainable Development
The 1987 United Nations Brundlandt report
- published as Our Common Future – calls it:

“Development that
meets the needs of the
present without
compromising the
ability of future
generations to meet
their own needs.”
What is the Triple Bottom Line (TBL)?
Recognizes need to consider economic, social, and
environmental business decisions

People, Planet, Profit • Equity, Ecology, Economy •

Social Equity, Environment, Economy
How Can We Recognize Sustainability?
The Triple Bottom Line

The TBL is a tool to measure progress

toward sustainable development.
 Unsustainable Development

Cement Company, LAFARGE, stripping Ecuador’s Cotacachi

Ecological Preserve for lime.