Course ID: SUST - 404
October 15-16, 2009, 9:00 A.M. to 5 P.M. (2 Days)
NWETC - Headquarters
650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108
206-762-1976

Description: There is a growing trend of governmental agencies and non-profit organizations issuing triple bottom line reports.  Accountability for environmental, social and economic impacts of a company is increasingly becoming a part of every manager or governmental official’s job.  However, there is much uncertainty and inconsistency in the field.  

Triple bottom line reporting is emerging as an important and necessary part of an organization’s disclosure. Two main issues addressed are 1) what a triple bottom line report is and 2) the areas addressed in a triple bottom line report. The first issue involves establishing an understanding of the triple bottom line and a structure for accountability. The second issue deals with identifying boundaries, a methodology for reporting and development of an understanding of the issues around subject areas in reporting.
           
The first day of this class will focus on defining triple bottom line (TBL) accounting: a brief discussion of the linkages between sustainability, corporate social responsibility, regulatory compliance and TBL reporting, the frameworks, performance areas and indicators for a TBL report, examples of TBL reports.  The second day will cover boundaries, drivers, risks, liabilities, and stakeholder issues relative to triple bottom line reporting in theory and practice using examples from triple bottom line reports. The class will end by identifying factors for successful implementation of triple bottom line accounting and criteria for the quality of a triple bottom line report.

Intended audience: Managers, business owners and government officials interested in managing and measuring environmental, social and economic performance and/or in issuing a triple bottom line report. Anyone interested in understanding triple bottom line report formation.