What is EDGE?
EDGE is a green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Unlike widely used standards such as LEED, WELL, and BREEAM, EDGE requirements are designed for the broader construction market and are suitable for developers and builders that are just taking their first steps toward sustainable development. The certification process provides an accessible and achievable set of solutions that can be applied to virtually any building.
The EDGE standard assesses green buildings in three categories
- Energy savings
- Water savings
- Reduced carbon footprint of construction materials
All calculations are performed on the EDGE App.
EDGE certification levels
EDGE provides several certification levels depending on the reductions achieved across the three categories.
EDGE Certified — Basic certification level
- A minimum 20% reduction in each category: water savings, energy savings, and reduction of the carbon footprint of construction materials.
EDGE Advanced — Advanced certification level
- A 40% reduction in the Energy category and 20% in each of the other categories
- A building in this category is considered “Zero Carbon Ready,” emphasizing its high level of energy efficiency and preparedness to minimize its carbon footprint.
Zero Carbon — Certification level for zero-emission buildings
- The building offsets 100% of its operational carbon emissions.
- This level can be obtained within one year after the primary certification is received and requires periodic renewal.
Certification is available for properties serving a variety of purposes
- Residential buildings (detached and multifamily homes, townhouses, and others)
- Hotels
- Retail buildings
- Offices
- Hospitals
- Educational institutions
- Warehouses
- Light industry
Certification process
Certification of new construction projects takes place in two stages:
- At the design stage, the design documentation undergoes a comprehensive audit for compliance with EDGE requirements. A preliminary (provisional) certificate is issued.
- Upon completion of construction, the as-built documentation is audited and the completed property is inspected. A final certificate is issued.
EDGE makes it possible to certify not only new buildings but also those already in operation. Certification of an existing building is conducted in a single stage: the documentation is audited and an auditor visits the property. A final certificate is issued based on the audit results.
Additional information: