General description
EDGE
EDGE is an international certification focused on sustainable construction, developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. It is a practical tool for designing and building resource-efficient buildings, integrating efficiency as a natural part of the design.
Its approach is based on helping developers, architects, and builders make better decisions from the design stage, achieving real savings in energy, water, and materials—making sustainability a viable and measurable strategy. Additionally, EDGE makes sustainability accessible. It is built on the implementation of intelligent strategies that, when properly integrated, deliver measurable results. In this way, sustainability moves beyond being an added value and becomes a viable, scalable strategy aligned with financial and environmental goals.
What does EDGE evaluate?
The certification focuses on three key areas
Energy
It analyzes the building’s energy consumption: lighting, air conditioning, heating, and equipment. This is where the greatest savings opportunities are typically found when decisions are made correctly from the start.
Water
It evaluates how efficiently potable water is used, from low-flow fixtures to more comprehensive strategies such as rainwater harvesting or reuse.
Materials
It matters how much you use and what you build with. EDGE reviews the embodied energy in materials and their environmental impact throughout the life cycle.
Requirements and certification levels
EDGE works with a fairly straightforward logic: demonstrating savings compared to a conventional building.
To certify a project, a minimum of 20% savings is required in:
- Energy consumption
- Water consumption
- Embodied energy in materials
From there, different certification levels apply:
- EDGE: Meets the minimum 20% savings across all three categories
- EDGE Advanced: Achieves at least 40% energy savings
- Zero Carbon: The building reaches net-zero operational emissions, either through renewable energy or certified offsets
All of this is calculated through the EDGE App, a tool that allows users to simulate design decisions and see their impact in real time. It is especially useful in early stages, where the project’s performance is truly defined.
Beneficios de certificar con EDGE
Benefits of EDGE Certification
Beyond recognition, there are tangible benefits:
- Direct reduction in operating costs
- Lower water and energy consumption
- Increased property value
- Stronger brand positioning and reputation
- Alignment with ESG and SDG goals
- Access to green financing or preferential terms
Type of projects
What types of projects does EDGE apply to?
One of EDGE’s key advantages is its flexibility. It can be applied across a wide range of developments:
➢ Residential
From single-family homes to multifamily housing and affordable housing projects. In all cases, the focus is on reducing resource consumption from the design stage and improving quality of life.
➢ Commercial
Offices, shopping centers, and hotels. Here, the impact is quickly noticeable: lower operating costs, improved user experience, and more competitive assets in the market.
➢ Educational
Schools and universities seeking more efficient spaces, with better thermal comfort and indoor air quality—positively influencing occupant performance.
➢ Healthcare
Hospitals and clinics, where efficiency and environmental quality are essential. EDGE helps reduce environmental impact without compromising operations or well-being.
➢ Industrial and logistics
Industrial facilities and distribution centers that require large-scale efficiency solutions, especially in lighting, ventilation, and water consumption.
➢ Mixed-use and urban projects
Developments that combine uses (residential, commercial, services) or are part of broader urban planning strategies, integrating mobility, green infrastructure, and efficient resource management.
EDGE can be applied in virtually any part of the world, although it has gained particular relevance in emerging markets, where achieving sustainability with a strong financial rationale is key.
Contact
Are you considering certifying your project with EDGE?
We can help you assess it from the early stages and identify the strategies that truly make sense for your project.
