The three E's in sustainability refer to which trio?

• A. Environment, Energy, Economy
• B. Environment, Economy, Equity
• C. Earth, Economy, Equity
• D. Environment, Ecology, Equity

Answer: (B)

Sustainability rests on balancing three interlinked dimensions: environmental health, economic viability, and social fairness. The trio Environment, Economy, Equity captures these dimensions directly. Environment covers protecting natural resources and ecosystems; Economy focuses on long‑term prosperity and responsible use of resources; Equity emphasizes fair access, opportunities, and benefits for all people.

That makes this trio the best fit, because it explicitly includes the social dimension (equity) alongside the environmental and economic ones. Other groupings shift or replace a pillar—energy centers on a resource rather than the broader social‑economic balance, Earth is a geographic or planetary term, and Ecology is a scientific field rather than a societal pillar—so they don’t align with the standard sustainability framework.