Programming
The Initiative on Triple Bottom Line Development evolved from the College's Social Equity and Opportunity Forum. The following provides an introduction to our key activities.
The Initiative on Triple Bottom Line Development
Sustainability is defined by three integrated elements – often referred to as the Three E’s (environment, economy, equity), the Three P’s (planet, profit, people), or the Triple Bottom Line (financial, environmental, social). Yet significant questions remain regarding how to achieve and measure this integrated bottom line. This is true at the level of specific projects as well as overall community performance. Here’s how the Initiative has been addressing this gap:
Applying a Triple Bottom Line Lens to Development Decisions
In research conducted for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy we examined how local and regional jurisdictions take a triple bottom line lens to development decisions. We explored fourteen cases in four countries (Australia, Canada, UK,and US). As a follow-up, we held focus groups with public officials in the Portland metro region to learn how, if at all, they take a TBL lens to development decisions, what is working well or not, and what might strengthen practice. These reports can be found on our publications page. Currently, we are working with the Federal Economic Development Administration to create a user-friendly tool to consider triple bottom line impacts of economic development investment. An overview of the Triple Bottom Line Tool can be found here:
Social Bottom Line Development
The social dimension of sustainability, and its interconnection to economic and environmental dimensions, is oft neglected and poorly understood. We have been leading an effort to define the social bottom line (SBL) of triple bottom line (TBL) development, determine how the social bottom line can be accounted for, and identify how best to advance SBL and TBL practice regionally and nationally. In Phase One, we met with representatives of diverse community sectors to explore what is meant by the social bottom line and we reviewed existing models and literature to learn about approaches to measurement, lessons learned, and knowledge gaps. In Phase Two, we met with key leaders to identify priority strategies, and developed a compendium of project profiles illustrating elements of the social bottom line. Our briefing paper, draft social bottom line framework, project profiles, and other companion documents can be found on our publications page.
Used and Useful Integrated Sustainability Indicators
Sustainability indicators provide information about environmental, social, and economic performance to help assess whether a project or community is on target toward its goals. However, questions remain regarding how to address social dimensions as well as how to ensure that indicator systems are “used and useful.” The Forum has worked working on a number of projects that advance thinking and practice on this issue. We co-led the Vital Communities Performance Standard Advisory Group for POSI’s EcoDistrict Initiative resulting in development of their vision, goals, and metrics regarding social dimensions of sustainability. We served on a Technical Advisory Committee for the national community sustainability standards being developed by ICLEI, US Green Building Council, and Center for American Progress, and supported the Greater Portland-Vancouver Regional Indicators project. Our report on used and useful community indicators can be found on our publications page.
Events and Outreach
We participate in panels, lectures, and other events that help build understanding and capacity regarding social and triple bottom line development.
Publications
We aim to produce timely, accessible analyses that support understanding and action on these issues. Find titles on framing, regional equity, and the social bottom line on our publications page.
