EDGE Certification VS LEED Certification

Prepared by: Muzammal Abbas “LEED AP, EDGE Auditor”

0345 432 7636

LEED Certification Vs EDGE Certification

LEED Certification

Overview:

• Developed By: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
• Established: 1993
• Scope: Comprehensive, addressing multiple aspects of green building performance.
• Global Reach: Widely recognized internationally with a strong presence in both developed and developing markets.

Certification Levels:

• Certified: 40–49 points
• Silver: 50–59 points
• Gold: 60–79 points
• Platinum: 80+ points

Benefits:

1. Comprehensive Sustainability Approach:

o Energy Efficiency: Focuses on optimizing energy use, incorporating high-performance HVAC systems, lighting, and renewable energy sources. Example credits include Energy Performance and Renewable Energy Production.

o Water Efficiency: Addresses water use reduction through low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems, and water reuse. Example credits include Water Efficient Landscaping and Indoor Water Use Reduction.

o Materials and Resources: Encourages the use of sustainable materials, recycling, and waste reduction. Example credits include Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction and Material Ingredients.

o Indoor Environmental Quality: Enhances indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance. Example credits include Indoor Air Quality Assessment and Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies.

o Sustainable Site Development: Promotes site sustainability, including transportation access, landscaping, and minimizing site disturbance. Example credits include Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat and Heat Island Reduction.

2. Global Recognition and Prestige:

o Market Value: LEED certification is highly regarded and can increase property value, attract tenants, and enhance the building's marketability.

o Brand Impact: Certification can positively influence a company’s brand image and demonstrate commitment to sustainability.

3. Extensive Resources and Support:

o Guidelines and Tools: Provides a comprehensive set of guidelines, checklists, and tools to assist with the certification process.

o Professional Network: Access to a large community of green building professionals, consultants, and experts.

o Training and Education: Offers numerous training programs, workshops, and educational resources to support project teams.

4. Flexibility and Adaptability:

o Customizable: LEED certification is adaptable to various building types, project scales, and geographic locations.

Drawbacks:

1. Costs:

o Certification Fees: Includes application fees, review fees, and costs for third-party verification. These fees can vary based on project size and complexity.

o Implementation Costs: Initial costs for implementing green building measures and technologies can be high for a C class buidling and very low for A class building, though often offset by long-term savings.

2. Complex and Time-Consuming:

o Detailed Documentation: Requires extensive documentation and evidence to demonstrate compliance with various credits and prerequisites.

o Process Duration: The certification process can be lengthy, involving multiple stages of review and approval, which can extend the project timeline.

3. Regional Variability:

o Inconsistencies: LEED standards and points systems may vary based on geographic location, which can lead to inconsistencies in implementation and outcomes.

o Adaptation Challenges: Adapting global standards to local conditions and regulations may create challenges and require additional effort.

4. Maintenance Requirements:

o Ongoing Monitoring: LEED certification requires ongoing performance monitoring to maintain status and ensure continued compliance.

o Periodic Updates: Buildings may need to update their certification to reflect changes in performance or standards, which can require additional effort.

EDGE Certification

Overview:

• Developed By: International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group
• Established: 2013
• Scope: Focused on efficiency improvements in energy, water, and materials.
• Target Audience: Primarily for emerging markets and developing regions, with a growing presence in other markets.

Certification Levels:

• EDGE Certified: Meets basic efficiency requirements for energy, water, and materials.
• EDGE Advanced: Achieves higher levels of efficiency and performance.
• EDGE Zero Carbon: Demonstrates zero carbon emissions through a combination of operational improvements and carbon offset measures.

Benefits:

1. Efficiency-Focused Approach:

o Energy Efficiency: Emphasizes practical, cost-effective measures to reduce energy consumption, such as high-performance insulation, efficient lighting, and low-energy HVAC systems.

o Water Efficiency: Focuses on water-saving technologies and practices, including low-flow fixtures and efficient irrigation systems.

o Material Efficiency: Encourages the use of sustainable and resource-efficient materials to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact.

2. Cost-Effective Certification:

o Lower Fees: Generally, involves lower certification fees compared to LEED, making it a more affordable option for many projects.

o Simpler Documentation: Requires less extensive documentation and fewer associated costs, which can reduce overall expenses.

3. Suitability for Emerging Markets:

o Accessibility: Designed to be practical and achievable for projects in developing regions, addressing local challenges and opportunities.

o Local Relevance: Standards are tailored to the context of emerging markets, making them more applicable and relevant to local conditions.

4. Streamlined Process:

o Quicker Certification: Typically involves a faster certification process due to a simplified set of requirements and fewer stages of review.

o Focused Criteria: Concentrates on key efficiency areas, making the certification process more straightforward and manageable.

Drawbacks:

1. Narrower Scope:

o Limited Coverage: EDGE focuses primarily on energy, water, and materials efficiency, potentially missing other important aspects of sustainability such as indoor environmental quality and sustainable site development.

o Less Comprehensive: The certification does not address all the sustainability issues covered by LEED, which may limit its applicability for projects with broader sustainability goals.

2. Less Global Recognition:

o Growing Presence: While gaining traction, EDGE is not as widely recognized or established as LEED in some regions, which may affect its perceived value.

o Perceived Value: The certification may have lower perceived value in markets where LEED is more established and recognized.

3. Fewer Resources and Support:

o Limited Tools: May offer fewer resources, tools, and support compared to the extensive network available for LEED.

o Less Training: May have fewer training programs and educational resources available for project teams.

4. Regional Focus:

o Emerging Markets Emphasis: Primarily designed for emerging markets, which may limit its applicability or appeal in developed regions.

o Adaptation Needs: Projects in developed markets may need to adapt the standards to fit local conditions and regulations.

Summary

• LEED offers a broad, comprehensive certification with global recognition and extensive resources, covering a wide range of sustainability aspects. It is suitable for projects with diverse sustainability goals but may involve high costs, complexity, and lengthy certification processes.
• EDGE provides a focused, cost-effective certification emphasizing efficiency in energy, water, and materials. It is particularly well-suited for emerging markets and offers a more streamlined certification process, though it has a narrower scope and less global recognition compared to LEED.