Company Sustainability: Triple Bottom Line & Six Forms of Capital

Introduction
This report brings out a discussion on company`s sustainability with the help of triple bottom
line, six forms of capital for sustainability. Further, the discussion has carried out some
practical examples on how those organisations have achieved sustainability for long term.
Sustainability, the Triple Bottom Line, & business
The triple bottom line in business covers several topics such as human, resources on business,
financial and the effect on all these factors on business. The concept is proposed by John
Elkington that studies the effect of different business functions in the creation of value for
business. Profit, people, and planet is recognised in triple Bottom line. I have grasped the
importance of this concept and how this concept is being used in business. This concept is
very much relevant in current scenario because high level of competition that enforces the
business to earn maximum that unintentionally or intentionally return to exploit planet or
people. Major challenge have become hindrances to business operations such as poverty,
peak oil, overfishing, climate resources, and resources depletion that have become more
complex. Organisations are under pressures in order to disclose the sustainability report,
which further leads to unplanned funding to channelize that was not previously planned. As
sustainability is, a major issue at global level but many countries have implemented many
required regulations in order to govern the business environment.
The Six Forms of Capital used by businesses
Natural capital- it is the stock of flow of energy, which produces services and goods. The
resources include renewable and non-renewable resources. It is not only based on production
of life itself. For instance- substances extracted from the earth should not exceed the
environment`s ability to absorb and recycle.

Human capital- This capital is based on people`s capital, skills, knowledge and innovation.
Those elements are needed to be productive. Enhancement of human capital with the help of
training and capital that add to the flourishing capital. For example- access to various
relationships and social participation throughout the life and achieve high level of standards
of learning and development (Singh, 2018).
Social capital- This is concerned with institutions that will further help to develop and
maintain the human capital by partnership with other groups. For example- Community and
society share the large stake that has positive values.
Manufactured capital- This capital comprises of fixed assets and material goods that further
contribute to production processes and putting the output itself such as tools and machines.
For instance- A business has to consider the entire infrastructure, processes, and the
technologies that can maximise the use of skills and innovations.
Financial capital- it plays an important role in the economy and also enabling the other types
of capital to be traded and owned. It is the representative of human, social, and natural capital
(Singh, 2018).
The six phases of business approaches to sustainability
This sustainability phase model describes six developmental phases which help in analysing
the company`s recent commitment and other habits related to human and ecological
sustainability. This phase is used to analyse the path that has been undertaken by the
company. The six phases are non-responsiveness, efficiency, sustaining corporation, strategic
proactivity. Rejection phase portrays strong belief regarding the maximisation of
organisational profitability. Human resources such as employees and subcontractors are
exploited at large level. This is extended stemming from ethnicity, proficiency, language and
gender (World Growth, 2011).