EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification

EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification

EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a green building certification system for emerging markets developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

EDGE certification for Developers and Investors is a competitive advantage by differentiating the product by taking full advantage of certification accessibility, a simplified certification process and association with the World Bank Group brand:

• Positioning as the first certified facility in the market through extensive marketing and communication promotion, supported by the World Bank Group brand.
• The certification process is carried out online and with free use of design software.
• Reduced costs by incorporating EDGE early in the design process.
• Reducing reputational risk and providing assurance of compliance criteria.
• Contribution to the corporate sustainability of the company.
• Improving the profitability and valuation of property.

EDGE focuses the certification process on technical aspects that give significant results. This contributes to finding and developing innovation, attracting new customers and increasing brand value.

The certification process is carried out on a dedicated online platform. Certification begins at an early stage of design, when design details are entered into the EDGE App and energy-efficient and green options are selected. The online system allows for the selection of the best energy efficiency solutions for a specific project, predicting operational parameters, resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The EDGE tool also determines the capital costs of implementing energy-efficient technologies and the payback period for implementing them.

The EDGE certification system includes three assessment categories: Energy, Water and Materials. In the certification process, documentation is provided by the Client and reviewed by EDGE auditors during the design and construction phases with an audit of the certification facility. The EDGE assessment system has three levels of certification:

1. The project complies with the EDGE standard if the calculations suggest a 20% improvement in energy, water and material consumption over the baseline option. The project is then registered for certification in the system. Based on the results of the assessment, such projects are certified as EDGE Certified during the design phase and EDGE Certified upon completion of construction.
2. Projects that achieve 40% or more savings in energy consumption with a minimum of 20% improvements in water consumption and material use receive EDGE Advanced certification during the design phase and EDGE upon completion of construction.
3. Zero Carbon: EDGE Advanced with 100% renewable energy sources on or off site or purchased carbon offsetsto achieve 100%. This is a global initiative to make new buildings zero carbon by 2030 and all buildings zero carbon by 2050.

EDGE confirms that new generation buildings can be more cost-effective and have a smaller carbon footprint. The EDGE standard provides certification for new construction, existing buildings and refurbishment projects.

EDGE certification is designed for buildings with different functional purposes: residential buildings, hotels, industrial facilities, warehouses, educational institutions, sports facilities, medical facilities and shopping and entertainment centres, and food catering facilities.