An innovation of IFC, EDGE (“Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies”) is an online platform, a green building standard and a certification system for over 150 countries.
The EDGE application helps to determine the most cost-effective options for designing green within a local climate context. EDGE can be used for buildings of all vintages, including new construction, existing buildings and major retrofits.
A project that reaches the EDGE standard of 20 percent less energy use, 20 percent less water use, and 20 percent less embodied energy in materials compared to a base case building can be independently certified. The value of EDGE certification is a promotional advantage, as customers benefit from lower utility bills.
EDGE is part of a holistic strategy to steer construction in rapidly urbanizing economies onto a more low-carbon path. It’s an example of IFC’s commitment to creating markets that are competitive, sustainable, inclusive and resilient.