What is EDGE? EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Unlike widely known standards like LEED, WELL, and BREEAM, EDGE is designed for the broader construction market and is suitable for developers and builders taking their initial steps toward sustainable development. The certification process offers an accessible and feasible set of solutions that can be applied to almost any building.

 

 

 

EDGE Standard Categories:

 

The EDGE standard evaluates green buildings based on three categories:

• Energy Savings
• Water Savings
• Reduced Carbon Footprint of Building Materials

 

All calculations are conducted on the online platform, EDGE App.

 

 

 

Levels of EDGE Certification:

 

EDGE provides several certification levels depending on the achieved reduction metrics in the three categories.

 

1. EDGE Certified - Basic Certification Level:

• Minimum 20% reduction in each category: energy savings, water savings, and reduced carbon footprint of building materials.

 

2. EDGE Advanced - Advanced Certification Level:

• 40% reduction in the Energy category and 20% in each of the other categories.
• Buildings at this level are considered "Zero Carbon Ready," highlighting their high energy efficiency and preparedness for minimizing their carbon footprint.

 

3. Zero Carbon - Certification Level for Buildings with Zero Emissions:

• The building offsets 100% of its carbon emissions during operation.
• Available within a year after receiving the primary certification and requires periodic renewal.

 

 

 

Certification is Available for Various Building Types:

 

• Residential buildings (private and multi-family homes, townhouses, etc.)
• Hotels
• Retail buildings
• Offices
• Hospitals
• Educational institutions
• Warehouses
• Light industrial facilities

 

 

Certification Process:

 

Certification for new construction projects occurs in two stages:

 

1. Design Stage:

• A comprehensive audit of the design documentation is conducted to ensure compliance with EDGE requirements. A preliminary (temporary) certificate is issued.

 

2. Post-Construction Stage:

• An audit of the final documentation and verification of the constructed building is performed. A final certificate is issued.

 

EDGE also allows for the certification of existing buildings. For operating buildings, certification is conducted in one stage:

• An audit of the documentation and an on-site visit by an auditor are performed. A final certificate is issued based on the audit results.