TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

Expanded reporting framework representing the three bottom lines of companies: financial, social, and environmental lines. The line gauges the company’s economic value, as well as its environmental and social responsibilities. The premise behind this framework is that companies must prepare their three pillars or triple bottom line, instead of dealing only with its finances. John Elkington coined the phrase in 1994 and was used in his 1997 book "Cannibals With Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business". Also called 3BL; People, Planet, Profit; TBL; and The Three Pillars.