What Is Triple Bottom Line In LEED?

All green buildings should establish three components:

• Economic prosperity (profit)
• Social responsibility (people)
• Environmental stewardship (planet)

Those three components are called the triple bottom line. A commitment to the triple bottom line means looking beyond a project’s profitability, or considering more than just a project’s sustainable features, or social responsibility.

When developing a green building, the main goal is to establish all three components at the same time. A green building should have an increased value, which will result in increased profit, an environmentally friendly design, and should also serve well to its users and the community.

To illustrate the concept, let’s assess the triple bottom line of a skylight that will be installed on the roof of an office space. A skylight will reduce the energy consumed by lighting fixtures, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Less energy usage will also mean fewer operating costs for the office building. Also, natural daylight will create a healthier office space for workers.

If we are able to address and achieve all three components of the triple bottom line, why not install the skylight?