Question 1

The triple bottom line approach is an accounting framework to measure an organization's economic, social equity and environmental performance.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The triple bottom line approach measures an organization's performance in terms of economic, social equity, and environmental factors.

Question 2

A measurement of a society's economic and social well-being can be measured by the Living Planet Index.

Accepted Answer

The Living Planet Index measures the health of the world's biodiversity and ecosystems, not the economic and social well-being of a society. Other indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Human Development Index (HDI), are often used to measure a society's economic and social well-being.

Question 3

An ecosystem involves animals, bodies of water and tress but excludes people.

Accepted Answer

An ecosystem includes animals, plants, bodies of water, and other living organisms, as well as non-living elements like rocks, air, and water. While people can be a part of an ecosystem, they are typically considered separate from it and can have significant impacts on the ecosystem through their actions.

Question 4

Sustainability is mainly focused on current generations.

Accepted Answer

Sustainability is focused on meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is, therefore, a long-term approach that balances economic, environmental, and social considerations.

Question 5

Sustainability measures can be applied to all industries in the same way to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Accepted Answer

While the concept of reducing, reusing and recycling can be applied to all industries, the specific sustainability measures required for each industry may vary. Different industries have different environmental impacts and require different approaches for sustainability. For example, the sustainability measures for the agricultural industry would be different from those for the automotive industry.

Question 6

Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by using wind power, geothermal power and coal-based forms of energy.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Wind power and geothermal power are renewable energy sources that produce much lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal-based energy sources. Therefore, using wind power and geothermal power can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, using coal-based forms of energy will increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 7

Sustainable manufacturing involves reducing waste only.

Accepted Answer

Sustainable manufacturing involves reducing waste, but it also involves reducing energy use, conserving natural resources, and minimizing environmental impacts throughout the entire production process. It encompasses a holistic approach to manufacturing that considers social, economic, and environmental factors.

Question 8

A measurement of biological diversity would best be measured by the Living Planet Index.

Accepted Answer

The Living Planet Index is a widely recognized measure of the population trends of various species, which in turn gives an indication of the overall health and diversity of a particular ecosystem or region. Therefore, it is commonly used to assess and monitor biological diversity.

Question 9

Reducing operational risk by increasing safety standards can also help to reduce risks to the environment.

Accepted Answer

Increasing safety standards can reduce the likelihood of accidents or incidents that could harm the environment, such as oil spills or chemical leaks. By avoiding these risks, operational risk is reduced and the environment is protected.

Question 10

A limit of the TBL approach is that it requires too many specialists in different fields (eg. engineering, accounting, environmentalists, etc)

Accepted Answer

The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach integrates three dimensions of performance: social, environmental, and financial. This holistic approach encourages collaboration across different fields but does not inherently require an excessive number of specialists; rather, it emphasizes the importance of considering multiple perspectives in decision-making.

Deck 11: Section 5: Is Sustainability Just a Buzzword