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The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) has been named global certification provider for the International Finance Corporation’s green building certification system, EDGE.

EDGE is a certification system for new residential and commercial buildings that enables design teams and project owners to assess the most cost-effective ways to incorporate energy and water saving options in their buildings. EDGE empowers builders to choose technical solutions while capturing costs and projected operational savings.

The drivers behind EDGE are financial but the results are environmental. EDGE helps mitigate climate change by encouraging resource-efficient development. To reach the EDGE minimum standard, a building must achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy and water consumption, as well as the energy used to make the construction materials.

In a statement released by the IFC, the World Bank investment arm said partnership with GBCI will help jumpstart mass market transformation to green buildings, in nearly 100 developing countries across the world, in a fast, simple and affordable way.

GBCI, which independently recognizes excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally, was announced as the exclusive certification provider for all EDGE projects in India, earlier this year.

“EDGE helps us achieve our longstanding goal of green buildings for all within a generation,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, COO, U.S. Green Building Council and President of GBCI. “EDGE helps project teams by providing financially attractive measures for their new construction projects and allows them to upgrade to more comprehensive green building practices. GBCI is ready to bring our experience, technical capabilities and resources to accelerate and scale EDGE projects around the world.”

“Additionally, GBCI has the infrastructure and capabilities to deliver due to our partnership with global leader Bureau Veritas, that was announced last year,” added Ramanujam.

IFC also announced global partner thinkstep/SGS. GBCI and thinkstep/SGS will operationalize EDGE by leveraging their networks, stimulating demand and driving certification uptake. They will also train independent auditors to engage with clients, assessing their work before rewarding projects with EDGE certification.

GBCI and SGS currently serve as exclusive local certification providers for EDGE in India and Vietnam respectively, which has helped them prepare for global readiness.

“With its speed, affordability, and simplicity, EDGE is fundamentally a game changer,” said Prashant Kapoor, Principal Green Building Specialist for IFC and the inventor of EDGE. “As a new global certification provider for EDGE, GBCI will bring its experience, passion and outstanding reputation for delivery to create a dynamic shift in the market.”