Economic Development and Sustainability

This assignment requires you to critically examine the complex relationship between economic development and sustainability. You'll need to analyze how economic development initiatives can impact environmental sustainability, social well-being, and other relevant factors. The analysis should draw upon provided academic sources and demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with achieving sustainable economic growth.

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINES AND SUSTAINABILITY CONSTRUCTION
Name of student
Subject name
Date

Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
H-Young Company......................................................................................................................4
Challenges faced by H-Young Company in Sustainable Construction.......................................5
Triple Bottom Line.......................................................................................................................5
Global Reporting Indicator (GRI) and sustainable development.................................................7
Relationship between the TBL and sustainable development.....................................................9
Significance of the triple bottom line in sustainable construction.............................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................16

Abstract
In the article, Triple Bottom Line (TBL) has been used to explain the achievement of
sustainable construction through the demonstration of the economic, environmental and social
aspects of its concept. However, from the analysis, TBL concepts are essential in the
improvement of economic development disciplines since it establishes different responses to the
existing gaps in the economy, environment, and the community. Therefore, Triple Bottom Line
has a significant correlation with the realization of the sustainable construction in every
organization.

Introduction
H-Young is a reputable international company that specializes in building and
construction. However, the firm has often been challenged with the realization of the
sustainability as part of the objectives and goals in operations. Such a scenario has been
enhanced by the idea that the organization cannot institute an effective framework for measuring
their degree of sustainability, which enhances the development of the triple bottom lines (TBL).
The concept used in the TBL allows for the measurement of value in relation to the
environmental and social dimensions. Besides, the approach aims at evaluating the outcome of
investments made by the company based on performance to account for the sustainable goals1.
The upfront has enables the widespread use of the TBL in accounting for performance at various
levels. For such reasons, H-Young Company has fully incorporated the technique in managing
the organization and part of its corporate strategy. For example, development of a measure to
sustainability for the employee's performance and welfare of the organization has been improved
through the TBL framework.
H-Young Company
The H-Young Company has a primary focus on civil and structural construction, which
exposes most of their activities to social, environmental and economic challenges, site clearance,
trees removal, excavation, and resource utility among others. However to assist in the realization
of sustainable construction various policies have been adopted. For instance, the environmental
policy influences approaches to conservation and sustainability. As well, the Global Reporting
Indicator has been used in providing financial frameworks in the company.
Challenges faced by H-Young Company in Sustainable Construction
1 Bennett, M. J., &Giloth, R. P. (2007).Economic development in American cities: The
pursuit of an equity agenda. Albany: State University of New York Press.

In the process of enhancing construction activities, the company is likely to realize
various difficulties in social, environmental and financial management based on the assessment
methods and rating systems in performance. For instance, under the sustainable construction and
environmental policies, H-Young will be challenged by the waste reduction methods and
recycling of waste materials that could be dependent on the site of construction. As well,
financial constraints will be enhanced through the inappropriate energy use and establishment of
alternatives in addition to fulfillment of legal formalities. Furthermore, the employees have
demonstrated poor social skills in interacting with their colleagues and the surrounding
community due to the poor training sessions and lack of public awareness on procedures and
personal responsibilities. On the same note, the construction activities might have huge impacts
on the society creating commotion in the neighborhood. Therefore, the company has a challenge
in meeting the improving and enhancing efficiency of their objectives and targets.
Triple Bottom Line
The triple bottom line can be referred as an accounting framework used for the
incorporation of the three different performances dimensions in the company that includes,
financial, environmental and social approaches. Such a provision demonstrates the significance
of the technique in sustainable construction making it different from the traditional reporting
framework that does not include the three variables2. However, the firm still has a responsibility
of assigning the effective methods of measure in from the TBL to estimate the sustainability. In
such regards, the dimensional factors are highlighted to enhance the measurement that is people
planet and profits. More so, the triple bottom line has enabled the development and practice of
sustainability by measuring the effects of the organizational activities in the in the different
operations of H-Young across the world that entails the value and profits of the shareholder and
2Bartik, T. (2005).Solving the problems of economic development incentives.36, 139-166

its relation to the social, economic and environmental capital. Nevertheless, the different pose
difficulty in the measurement of the 3Ps of the TBL since they do not form a common unit, like
profits can be approximated in the dollar, while social capital and environmental health have no
defined units3. In response, some individuals have suggested the monetization approach to the
environmental damage and social welfare top assist in the calculation of the TBL. Such a
proposition has been objected due to the challenge of quantifying the endangered species among
other environmental components on philosophical grounds. Besides, calculating the TBL based
on indexing has been proposed to eliminate the issue of incompatibility between the different
aspects, like the comparison of the H-Young performance between nations, development projects
or stations. Meanwhile, the metric involved in the calculation of the TBL should be considered in
deciding on an appropriate method of calculation.
Nevertheless, in deciding on the effective metrics to include in the triple bottom lines
measurement, the corporate members agree that no standard principle would apply to such
effect4. Such a consideration indicates that no technique is universally accepted in the estimation
of the sustainability in the different frameworks. However, such a ruling shows the flexibility of
the approach and strength as it allows the person estimating to adopt a general framework that
would fit the different needs of the organization towards the environment or construction project.
Despite the ability of the other businesses or governmental agencies to estimate the
environmental sustainability on the index or common units, like dollars, H-Young would break it
down to the shares per earnings since the framework can keep up with the variations5. The triple
bottom line has indicated the specific and wide range of impacts on the geographical landscape,
3Arena, P., Adams, J. A., Noyes, K., Rhody, S., & Noonan, M.(2008).Construction grants
program impact assessment report.
4Arndt, H. W. (1987).Economic development: The history of an idea.
5Alcamo, J., Bennett, E.M. & Millennium Ecosystem Assessment(Program). (2003).

which indicates its relevance in estimating the infrastructural projects at different levels.
However, the level of engagement of the geographical scope, project type, and entity level would
provide a measure to the decisions provided in the in the sustainability framework. Besides, the
appropriate use of the sustainability measurement influences the triple bottom line calculations.
For example, the economic measures involve the flow and bottom line of money by considering
the incomes, taxes, expenditures, climatic factors and diversification factors. The economic
variables will entail personal income, underemployment cost, the growth of opportunities,
revenues, and distribution of the in the economic sector. As well, the environment measures have
a representation of the natural resources and show the level to which the company influences its
viability. For instance, concentration or sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, priority pollutants,
excessive nutrients, electrical consumption, fossil fuels, management of solid waste and change
in land use in the surrounding region the company is established.
Global Reporting Indicator (GRI) and sustainable development
Through the use of the GRI mechanism, the company has ensured transparency and
accountability of its activities to achieve the social, economic, and environmental objectives. As
well, the accounting framework allows for open and clear communication on sustainable
construction. Meanwhile, the social variable in the measurement of TBL will entail the impact of
the company on the social impacts presented in the company in the community, like life quality,
social capital, health, education levels6. Other social implications might be determined by
assessing the rate of unemployment, gender composition, poverty levels, health, incomes, and
literacy of the population among others at local and international level. Such considerations will
enhance the development of an effective measurement to different TBL dimensions. Besides, the
approach provides appropriate ways of dealing with the participation and input of the
6Haanaes, K., Reeves, M. et al. (2012).Sustainability nears a tipping point.

stakeholders in the company by establishing a decision matrix for the incorporation of the public
preferences in decision-making and project planning. For example the use of a narrative
formulation in soliciting the contribution of the shareholders in project evaluation and estimation
of the components of TBL sustainability framework based on the community preferences. For
example, within a certain region, the success can be measured by the number of women
employed in the organization as part of female empowerment and entrepreneurial development
program. Despite such influences, H-Young will have the ultimate responsibility of producing a
final set of applicable measures to the project at hand.
The application of the Triple bottom line by companies or businesses has motivated the
development of environmental, economic and social sustainability principles in measuring the
three different outcomes. However, challenges have been encountered regarding the use of the
TBL in the sustainability assessment. Such a move has been driven by the fact that realizing a
comprehensive and standard index for the measurement as well as the identification of the
appropriate data to include in the TBL is difficult due to the presence of variation measurements.
For example, the incorporation of the genuine progress indicator encompasses 25 variables in
gauging the social, economic and environmental factors in the company that can be compressed
into a single entity7. Besides, various sustainable and integrated assessment variables can be
included in the study to allow for the measurement of the environmental implications to attain
the goals of the firm in sustainable construction.
Relationship between the TBL and sustainable development
H-Young has utilized the triple bottom line as the main system in assessing profits made
in the development of sustainable corporate solutions. Such a move indicates the significant
7Ammons, D., & Morgan, J. (2011). State-of-the-art measures in economic development.PM
Magazine,93(5), 6-10

relationship between the sustainability and TBL in the realization of social, environmental and
economic projects. Besides, the approach shows the role of the TBL as an indicator of the
company's sustainable construction by providing the best markers to enhance the quality of life.
From the social sustainability approach, the triple bottom line provides a measure of the accrued
profits in the business as human capital in the different regions the firms is located. The social
bottom line can be enhanced through improving the fairness and benefits to labor providers in
the company through the corporate community initiative8. As well, whenever H-Young does not
seem to build positive relationships within the community, the client's foundation and worker's
pool is likely to reduce simultaneously. Such a consideration indicates that the lesser the wage,
the higher the chances of the company surviving in the region because it will afford to operate
for an extended time. Nevertheless, the social bottom line shows the sustainability of the
company's human capital in the long-term based on the understanding of the nature of the
business operations within a particular environment9. Therefore, the interests in labor and
corporation are interrelated despite the challenges encountered in public relations during
measurements.
Further, the environmental sustainability is likely to be realized when the impacts of the
construction activities are less subjected to the environment or do not tamper with the natural
resources available. In such a regard, the company will maintain its posterity in the region
increased its success. However, to control the environmental bottom lines, the company has to
demonstrate its efficiency in monitoring, management, and reports on the consumption of wastes
and emissions. Through showing compliance to the environmental health guidelines, the firm
8Grodach, C. (2011). Barriers to sustainable economic development: The Dallas-Fort-Worth
Experience.Cities,28, 300-309
9Ammons, D., & Morgan, J. (2011). State-of-the-art measures in economic development.PM
Magazine,93(5), 6-10

will realize sustainable business models to reduce the wastes and incorporate the green policies
at various levels of management. As well, to assess the environmental impact, the company will
assign a sustainability committee to handle the same to enforce laws and provide solutions to the
possible challenges. In such a case, assessing and reporting the environmental bottom line seems
to be simplified and possible depending on the size of the business. However, the process can be
time-consuming and complicated if the H-Young increases it size or measures all the sub-
stations across the world, causing variations in data. As a result, technological advancement has
enabled the adoption of software to improve the measurement by providing a quick and cost-
effective approach to sustainability assessment.
Similarly, economic sustainability does indicate the traditional corporate capital in the
company alongside the human and environmental capital. Such a consideration suggests that the
economic capital can be estimated by the implication of the company towards the economic
environment10. However, H-Young is likely to strengthen the economy in the located region by
complying with the economic policies, which will enable to survive in future. In such a regard,
every company should be aware of the existing triple bottom line accounts in addition to the
traditional profits to add some value in the economy. Besides, the TBL concepts will increase the
understanding of the company's management to enhance its position in the economy since the
corporate sustainability provides room for measuring the firm's ability. Such measures will take
place considering the company's environmental implications, relationship with the surrounding
community, and its significant contribution to the economy. From such a provision, triple bottom
line enables one to visualize the business as a both as an environmental and social entity that can
exhibit variations during measurement.
10Cashmore, M., William, R., Morgan, R., Cobb, D., & Bond, A.(2004). The interminable issue
of effectiveness

Significance of the triple bottom line in sustainable construction
The triple bottom line and the sustainable economic development have shown assistance
in the understanding of the need for economic development. Such a move has created an
improved state and quality of life through the increase in employment opportunities and wealth
accumulation, which enables the expansion of the company, retention of employees, more
recruitments, and creation of jobs for people in the community in different ways. For example,
the increased development in the workforce, corporate assistance, growth of network and
expansion of infrastructure among others elements that support the organizational development
and influences its decisions are illustrated in the TBL. Besides, the approach adds to the
recognition of the social and environmental factors that operate within the firm in three
dimensions to enable the company to succeed11. In such a scenario, the economic developers in
the organization will expand their social, environmental and economic aspects while deciding on
investments due to the presence of the interdependent factors that contribute to the closure of the
gaps in the economy. However, poor understanding and interpretation of the triple bottom line
concepts may pose a challenge to the realization of the business objectives since it limits the
planning, administration, and sustainability in construction. On the same note, the composition of
the community and the company will increase the implementation of the TBL approaches
through increased awareness and enlightenment, while inadequate capacitation, little
understanding, and low social status impede the uptake of the TBL concepts.
As well, considering the fact that economic development is likely to occur in highly
competitive environments, the success of the TBL in ensuring sustainable construction will be
11 Costanza, R., de Groot, R., Sutton, P., van der Ploeg, S., Anderson, S., Kubiszewski, I.,
Farber, S., & Turner, R. K. (2014).Changes in the global value of ecosystem
services.global environmental Change,26, 152-158.

ill-defined. Such a case is attributed to the fact that outcomes are affected by external factors that
cannot be controlled by the company. However, the sustainability will be impeded by inadequate
integration and coordination on the environmental, social and economic policies and programs in
relation to the TBL principles and trade-offs in the required goals. Furthermore, the economic
sustainability approaches are not essential in the professional and academic accreditation in
economic developments that can be translated into the inadequate knowledge and skills to
incorporate the concepts to put into practice. From such a remark, the sustainability construction
requires no accreditation based on competence in the theory and practice of triple bottom line.
However, to improve the well-being of the individuals, economic development should be
dedicated towards the generation of jobs and creation of wealth through incomes. The
conventional approaches to the triple bottom line can be challenged by examining the deleterious
trends in the company or community, like increased income disparity or costly developments
associated with environmental implications. In such a way, the TBL approaches have a
successful economic development pattern that can serve in the controlling the sustainability
framework for research and programming12. Therefore, TBL concepts are vital in the helping the
firm advance the theory and practice of the sustainable economic development projects, like
construction.
In training and certification, professional organizations have shown the importance of
sustainability related content in projects and programming. Such a necessity has enhanced the
room for expansion of efforts based on the TBL approaches to add to the key competencies of
the required in certification. As well, learning institutions have adopted mechanisms of offering
economic development courses to enhance sustainability through the provision of the basic
12Arndt, H. W. (1987).Economic development: The history of an idea. Chicago, IL: University of
Chicago Press

knowledge and skills as part of the curriculum development. Therefore, training and certification
help the employees to develop the necessary standards for ensuring accreditation for planning
and business programs through attaining the minimum qualifications for sustainable
construction.
In the assessment, the triple bottom line plays a significant role in attaining sustainability
despite the presence of challenges of in the environment. Besides, the literature on assessment
shows the implications of the sustainable development can be minimized by focusing on the
negativity as opposed to the alignment of the company to realized good outcomes and preferred
results. Furthermore, the extensive resources required by an organization to assist in the analysis
can be terminated causing the poor performance in the project and associated activities in
addition to poor integration and decision-making approaches. However, the several challenges
experienced during the post assessment of impacts have been identified to enhance the data
collection and analysis resources with limited ability to promote the causal attribution.
Furthermore, the TBL concepts in assessing sustainable construction have been indicted reduced
uptake in the company to due to the absence of the incentives to utilize in the process. For
instance, the American TBL tools used in the meeting the requirements for a research, industrial
and user-friendly assessment tool for sustainable construction13. However, the online platform
used in the design, assess and communication of the project alignments in economic
development based on the significance of the economic goals, stewardship of the natural
resources, while ensuring the well-being of the community. Such a consideration indicates that
the user-defined information and data sets are essential in the determination of the level of
investment alignment based on the sustainable outcomes. For instance, the accessibility of a
13 Benner, C., & Pastor, M. (2014), Brother, can you spare some time?Sustaining prosperity
and social inclusion in America's metropolitan regions. Urban Studies,52, 1339-1356.

location, relative wages and the proximity to natural resources based on the mode of action of the
company. Nevertheless, the activities should ensure that they comply with the certification of the
green construction, engagement of the community and creation of jobs from the available
information. In such regards, the TBL tools will be implemented based on the investment
approaches and future versions on unknown locations, which are subject to review due to the
demonstration of various factors inhibiting the sustainable construction. Therefore, from the
assessment, the effective tool for project evaluation will depend on the productiveness of the of
the TBL tools to assess the sustainable economic development projects.
For incentives, the economic developer will come up with an effective strategy of
reviewing the triple bottom line to increase the level of interaction between the economic
development professionals revealing their concerns towards the project. Such a consideration
will enhance the formulation of a reward system to enhance the responsibility of the workers and
the community with respect to the development agendas. However, the challenge in the approach
could be the realization of development incentives to promote the performance of the TBL
objectives in the company. Besides, professional standards will be implemented to assist the
developers in accounting and designing the appropriate sustainable development incentives
without tampering with the project activities.
Besides, on a research basis, the TBL concepts will be demonstrated increased
opportunities for the development of productive research on the sustainable construction. For
instance, the integration and extension approaches portrayed in the assessment surveys are key in
the realization of the company's objectives. However, the absence of uniformity in the in the
formulation of the sustainability questions creates a challenge in the analysis of the three TBL
dimensions as well as the lack of critical questions on the major topic precludes the

understanding on the significant sustainability issues. On the other, the demonstration of efforts
in the coordination of the goals helps in improving the understanding of the differences between
the three groups, while enabling the opportunity for changes in attitudes, priorities, and actions
with time.
Conclusion
Consequently, the research demonstrates the importance of understating the Triple
Bottom Lines in the realization of sustainable construction through the provision of standards
and analyses on the concepts towards economic development. However, the TBL approaches are
likely to influence the mechanism of dealing with the challenges encountered in the achievement
of sustainability, like professional development, training, and accreditation programs among
others that must be integrated and implemented in sustainable construction. In such a
consideration, the TBL is significant in the achievement of a sustainable economic development
process in the organization.
References
Alcamo, J., Bennett, E.M. & Millennium Ecosystem Assessment(Program). (2003).Ecosystems
and human well-being: A framework for assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Ammons, D., & Morgan, J. (2011). State-of-the-art measures in economic development.PM
Magazine,93(5), 6-10.
Arena, P., Adams, J. A., Noyes, K., Rhody, S., & Noonan, M.(2008).Construction grants
program impact assessment report.Volume I—Report on investigation and results.
Retrieved fromhttps://www.inbia.org/docs/default-source/resources—related-links/
download-construction-grants-program-impact-assess-ment-report.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Arndt, H. W. (1987).Economic development: The history of an idea. Chicago, IL: University of
Chicago Press.
Bartik, T. (2005).Solving the problems of economic development incentives.Growth and
Change,36, 139-166.
Bartik, T. (2011).Investing in kids: Early childhood programs and local economic development.
Kalamazoo, MI: W. E. UpjohnInstitute for Employment Research.
Benner, C., & Pastor, M. (2014), Brother, can you spare some time?Sustaining prosperity and
social inclusion in America's metropolitan regions.Urban Studies,52, 1339-1356.
Bennett, M. J., &Giloth, R. P. (2007).Economic development in American cities: The pursuit of
an equity agenda. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Bentivegna, V., Curwell, S., Deakin, M., Lombardi, P., Mitchell, G., &Nijkamp, P. (2002). A
vision and methodology for integrated sustainable urban development:
BEQUEST.building research & Information,30(2), 83-94.
Cashmore, M., William, R., Morgan, R., Cobb, D., & Bond, A.(2004). The interminable issue of
effectiveness: Substantivepurposes, outcomes and research challenges in the
advancement of environmental impact assessment theory.impact assessment and Project
Appraisal,22, 295-310.
Conroy, M. (2006). Moving the middle ahead: Challenges and opportunities of sustainability in
Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.Journal of Planning Education and Research,26, 18-27.
Costanza, R., de Groot, R., Sutton, P., van der Ploeg, S., Anderson, S., Kubiszewski, I., Farber,
S., & Turner, R. K. (2014).Changes in the global value of ecosystem services.global
environmental Change,26, 152-158.

Grodach, C. (2011). Barriers to sustainable economic development: The Dallas-Fort-Worth
Experience.Cities,28, 300-309.
Haanaes, K., Reeves, M., von StrengVelken, I., Audretsch, M., Kiron, D., &Kruschwitz, N.
(2012).Sustainability nears a tipping point. Retrieved from
http://c4168694.r94.cf2.rackcdn.com/MIT-SMR-BCG-Sustainability-Nears-a-Tipping-
Point-Winter-2012.pdf