Table of Content

The building sector contributes nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions (IEA, 2023), making green building certification essential for climate action. But traditional certifications like LEED or BREEAM can be costly and complex.

EDGE Certification (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), provides a cost-effective green building certification tailored for emerging markets. It empowers developers to achieve energy efficiency, water savings, and reduced embodied carbon—delivering measurable environmental and financial benefits.

In this blog, we’ll explore EDGE Certification, what it involve, why it matter, and how organizations can achieve EDGE Certification.

EDGE Certification is a globally recognized green building certification system designed by IFC, a part of the World Bank Group. Unlike traditional programs, EDGE was created specifically to democratize sustainable building practices in emerging economies—making green building certification accessible, affordable, and scalable.

At its core, EDGE Certification helps projects achieve at least a 20% reduction in:

1. Energy consumption
   
2. Water usage
   
3. Embodied energy in materials

This ensures resource efficiency without adding significant costs, making it ideal for:

• Residential buildings
  
• Commercial offices
  
• Retail spaces
  
• Hotels and hospitals
  
• Educational institutions
  
• Major renovations and retrofits

EDGE certification is based on achieving measurable improvements in three critical areas of environmental performance:

• ‍Energy Efficiency: Buildings must reduce energy consumption through smart design choices, such as high-performance glazing, natural ventilation, efficient lighting, solar panels, and advanced HVAC systems.‍

• ‍ Water Efficiency: Projects are encouraged to minimize water usage by incorporating low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling systems, and other innovative water-saving technologies.‍

• Embodied Energy in Materials: The use of building materials with lower environmental impacts—such as recycled content, sustainably sourced timber, or lightweight blocks—helps to reduce the energy embedded in construction materials.

To qualify for EDGE certification, a building must demonstrate at least a 20% reduction in each of these three categories compared to a conventional building baseline typical for the region.

The EDGE Certification Process

The path to EDGE certification is straightforward and transparent, designed to minimize complexity while ensuring credibility:

• Preliminary Assessment: Using the free EDGE software, developers and project teams can model their building’s predicted energy, water, and materials performance. The platform provides clear, region-specific baselines and suggests practical strategies to achieve savings.

• Design Certification: Once sustainability strategies are finalized, the project submits its design documentation to a qualified EDGE Auditor. The auditor reviews the plans to ensure that proposed measures are sufficient to meet certification thresholds.

• Construction Audit: After construction is completed, an independent EDGE Auditor conducts a site visit to verify that all green design measures were properly implemented as per the original plan.

• Certification Awarded: If the project successfully achieves the required 20% savings across energy, water, and materials, it is granted an official EDGE Certificate—a symbol of its commitment to sustainable design and performance.

EDGE certification can be pursued for:

• New constructions
  
• Major renovations
  
• Existing buildings (through retrofitting)
  

It is applicable across diverse sectors, including:

• Residential
  
• Commercial offices
  
• Retail spaces
  
• Hotels
  
• Hospitals
  
• Educational institutions

Discover the Impact of Climate Studies on Sustainable Design

• ‍Cost-Effective and Scalable: Unlike LEED or BREEAM, EDGE Certification offers a streamlined process and lower certification costs, making it ideal for emerging markets.

• ‍Financial Incentives: Green bonds, discounted loans, and preferential financing are available for EDGE-certified projects, improving ROI.

• ‍Climate Impact: By achieving 20%+ resource efficiency, EDGE buildings significantly contribute to global climate goals, including the Paris Agreement.‍

• Market Differentiation: Certification enhances property marketability, attracting eco-conscious buyers, tenants, and investors.

For Green Building Certification (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies):

• Start Early: Integrate EDGE Principles from the Design Phase: Achieving EDGE certification is easiest and most cost-effective when resource efficiency is incorporated from the outset. Architects, engineers, and project managers should align building design, material selection, and construction practices with EDGE parameters right from the conceptual stage

• Use the EDGE App: Plan and Simulate for Efficiency: Leverage the free EDGE software to simulate different design options and instantly see their impact on energy, water, and materials savings. The tool provides valuable insights for choosing the most cost-effective green measures, helping you make informed decisions early.

• Engage Accredited EDGE Auditors Early: Working with EDGE-accredited auditors and consultants can significantly smooth the path to certification. These experts offer guidance on compliance strategies, best practices for documentation, and help navigate technical challenges during both design and construction audits.

• Document Everything Thoroughly: Meticulous record-keeping is crucial. Maintain detailed documentation related to:
  • Building designs and efficiency strategies
  • Selection of materials with low embodied energy
  • Energy modeling reports
  • On-site construction practices and verification evidence

• Pursue Financial Benefits: Many financial institutions offer green loans, better financing terms, or climate bonds for certified projects. Explore and leverage these incentives early to:
  • Improve project feasibility
  • Enhance returns on investment
  • Attract sustainability-focused investors

Real Estate Developers: Building Greener, Smarter Communities
In the real estate sector, environmental responsibility is becoming a key market differentiator. Forward-thinking developers such as Tata Realty and Mahindra Lifespaces have adopted EDGE Green Building certification across their commercial and residential projects.
By integrating EDGE standards, they are delivering buildings that are not only resource-efficient and climate-resilient but also more attractive to environmentally conscious buyers and investors.

More than 11,000 buildings in 100+ countries have achieved EDGE Certification (EDGE Buildings, 2024).

Q1: How does EDGE Certification differ from LEED or BREEAM?

A1: EDGE focuses on cost-effective resource efficiency, requiring a minimum of 20% savings in energy, water, and materials. It's designed to be more accessible and affordable, especially in emerging markets, compared to LEED or BREEAM.

Q2: What are the costs associated with EDGE Certification?

A2: Costs vary based on project size and complexity. However, EDGE is generally more affordable due to its streamlined process and free software tools.

Q3: Can existing buildings apply for EDGE Certification?

A3: Yes, EDGE Certification is applicable to new constructions, major renovations, and existing buildings through retrofitting.

Q4: What is EDGEplus Certification?

A4: EDGEplus extends the assessment to include other dimensions of diversity such as race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, age, and disability, beyond gender.

Q5: How long does the EDGE Certification process take?

A5: The timeline varies but typically ranges from a few months to a year, depending on project readiness and the efficiency of documentation and audits. (Is EDGE the right certification for your project?)

EDGE Certification — whether for green buildings or workplace equality — offers a powerful, practical framework to align profit with purpose.

It not only supports organizations in achieving sustainability goals or promoting inclusive cultures but also enhances brand reputation, unlocks financial advantages, and future-proofs businesses against evolving environmental and social expectations.

In a rapidly changing world, organizations that choose to walk the talk on sustainability and inclusivity will lead the way. Pursuing EDGE Certification is a meaningful step in that direction — a commitment to building a greener, fairer, and better future for all.