Measuring the sustainability impact in local governments using the quadruple bottom line

ING AND INDEXING For a full list of databases in which this journal is indexed, please visit www.onsustainability.com/journals/collection. RESEARCH NETWORK MEMBERSHIP Authors in The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice are members of the On Sustainability Research Network or a thematically related Research Network. Members receive access to journal content. To find out more, visit www.onsustainability.com/about/become-a-member. SUBSCRIPTIONS The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice is available in electronic and print formats. Subscribe to gain access to content from the current year and the entire backlist. Contact us at support@cgnetworks.org. ORDERING Single articles and issues are available from the journal bookstore at www.cgscholar.com/bookstore. HYBRID OPEN ACCESS The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice is Hybrid Open Access, meaning authors can choose to make their articles open access. This allows their work to reach an even wider audience, broadening the dissemination of their research. To find out more, please visit www.onsustainability.com/journals/hybrid-open-access. DISCLAIMER The authors, editors, and publisher will not accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made in this publication. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practice Volume 13, Issue 3, 2017, www.onsustainability.com © Common Ground Research Networks, Haris Alibašić Some Rights Reserved, (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Permissions: support@cgnetworks.org ISSN: 2325-1166 (Print), ISSN: 2325-1182 (Online) http://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1166/CGP/v13i03/37-45 (Article) Measuring the Sustainability Impact in Local Governments Using the Quadruple Bottom Line Haris Alibašić, University of West Florida, USA Abstract: Sustainability is utilized by cities to enable a multifaceted, cross-sectoral approach for the betterment of communities and operational efficiency of organizations. Using a case study of the medium size local government in the Midwest and the city’s application of sustainability planning, this article focuses on a development of an expanded definition of the bottom line and a nascent approach to measuring and tracking sustainability-related efforts. The research provides an overview of measuring sustainability adopted by this particular city, using the target-specific, extended quadruple bottom line approach. The method attempts to address economic vitality, environmental quality, social equity, and governmental accountability through governance. The use of the quadruple bottom line to measure sustainability is linked to its annual budget planning and investments in transformation-related initiatives. While such an approach to measuring sustainability progress is unique in the United States, a number of cities in Australia have also adopted the quadruple bottom line approach to measure sustainability. Lessons in reporting sustainability efforts using the quadruple bottom line, in the context of an efficient and effective service delivery, can be applied to other local governments. Sustainability is utilized by cities to enable a multifaceted, cross-sectoral approach for the betterment of communities and operational efficiency of organizations. Using a case study of the medium size local government in the Midwest and the city’s application of sustainability planning, this article focuses on a development of an expanded definition of the bottom line and a nascent approach to measuring and tracking sustainability-related efforts. The research provides an overview of measuring sustainability adopted by this particular city, using the target-specific, extended quadruple bottom line approach. The method attempts to address economic vitality, environmental quality, social equity, and governmental accountability through governance. The use of the quadruple bottom line to measure sustainability is linked to its annual budget planning and investments in transformation-related initiatives. While such an approach to measuring sustainability progress is unique in the United States, a number of cities in Australia have also adopted the quadruple bottom line approach to measure sustainability. Lessons in reporting sustainability efforts using the quadruple bottom line, in the context of an efficient and effective service delivery, can be applied to other local governments.