Which term captures the holistic approach to assessing an organization’s sustainability performance?

The term that best captures the holistic approach to assessing an organization’s sustainability performance is the triple bottom line. This concept encompasses three key dimensions: social, environmental, and economic performance, often referred to as "people, planet, and profits." It emphasizes that businesses should not only measure their success in traditional financial terms but also consider their impact on society and the environment.

By using the triple bottom line framework, organizations can evaluate how well they are contributing to sustainable practices and balance their operational goals with ethical responsibilities. This approach encourages companies to adopt responsible practices that benefit broader society and the environment, thus promoting long-term sustainability rather than short-term gains.

In contrast, corporate governance primarily focuses on the structure and processes for decision-making, social accountability refers to the obligation of organizations to consider the interests of stakeholders, and stakeholder engagement involves actively involving and responding to the needs and concerns of various parties with an interest in the organization. While all these concepts are important in assessing different aspects of sustainability, they do not provide the comprehensive framework for performance assessment that the triple bottom line offers.