Martin Ashcroft investigates the concept of sustainable development, or the triple bottom line, as it applies to business in North America. The triple bottom line, also known as TBL, 3BL or ÔÇÿpeople, planet, profitÔÇÖ, has broken the mold of how organizations measure themselves. The addition of people and planet to the bottom line shows that organizations are now measuring their achievements in terms of social and environmental criteria as well as economic.