EDGE Certification
EDGE (“Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies”) is a free software, a green building standard, and an international green building certification system. IFC created EDGE to respond to the need for a measurable and credible solution to prove the business case for building green and to unlock financial investment. Take a few minutes to watch our videos and learn how to meet the EDGE standard make green certification work for you.
EDGE System Evaluation Criteria
Each building is evaluated against three key performance metrics:
- Energy Savings – Reduced energy demand through efficient systems and smart design.
- Water Savings – Optimized water consumption through fixtures, recycling, and reuse.
- Reduced Embodied Energy in Materials – Minimizing carbon footprint through responsible material selection and supply chains.
Why EDGE Certification Matters in Kenya
Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.
Kenya’s built environment accounts for over 30% of total energy consumption and contributes significantly to carbon emissions. EDGE provides a cost-effective and data-driven framework to design, construct, and operate resource-efficient buildings that benefit both people and the planet.
With EDGE-certified buildings, you can achieve:
- Up to 40% reduction in energy use
- Up to 30% reduction in water consumption
- Up to 35% reduction in embodied energy of construction materials
These savings translate into lower operational costs, higher market value, and eligibility for green financing and tax incentives.
Our Services
SustainaROI offers comprehensive consulting and certification support for your EDGE projects at a fixed, transparent cost.
We provide:
Technical advisory and compliance guidance from concept to completion.
Development of customized EDGE strategies tailored to your building type and goals.
Performance simulations and optimization reports.
Certification management including document preparation, submission, and communication with accredited auditors.
Post-certification monitoring using SustainaROI’s sustainability dashboard.
We guarantee:
Completion assurance – every project we take on achieves certification.
Optimized construction cost efficiency while meeting the desired certification level.
Seamless collaboration with your design and engineering teams.
Continued ESG reporting and analytics post-certification.
Stages of EDGE Certification
Certification takes place in two key phases:
Preliminary Certification – Conducted at the design documentation stage to verify that your plans meet EDGE standards.
Final Certification – Conducted after construction and site audit to confirm that your building performs as designed.
Audits are handled by independent EDGE auditors, while SustainaROI manages all technical preparation and communication.
EDGE Certification Costs (Kenya Overview)
Building registration: USD 300 per project.
Certification fee: USD 0.27/m² (minimum USD 2,250).
Underground parking areas are excluded.Expert advisory fee: Based on project size, complexity, and sustainability goals.
Audit fee: Determined by the chosen independent auditor.
For portfolio projects, we offer discounted certification bundles for multiple identical buildings or developments (e.g., housing estates, office parks, or school clusters).
Eligible Building Types
EDGE certification can be applied to a wide range of property types including:
Residential developments
Commercial and office buildings
Retail complexes
Educational institutions
Healthcare facilities
Warehouses and light industrial sites
Hospitality buildings
EDGE Certification Levels
Level 1 – EDGE Certified:
Achieve at least 20% savings in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials.Level 2 – EDGE Advanced:
Achieve 40% energy savings and at least 20% water and material savings.Level 3 – EDGE Zero Carbon:
Achieve 40% energy efficiency and offset 100% of emissions using renewable energy or verified carbon credits.
Benefits of EDGE Certification
Lower energy and water bills
Access to green financing and sustainability-linked loans
Improved ESG performance and investor confidence
Eligibility for tax incentives and sustainability grants
Enhanced property value and brand reputation Reduced carbon footprint and regulatory readiness
Contribution to Kenya’s Vision 2030 and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
Partner with SustainaROI
We combine global sustainability standards with local expertise to make green building practical and profitable. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or institution, our mission is to help you build smarter, certify faster, and operate sustainably
