Kuwait Finance House Becomes First Bank in Kuwait to Receive EDGE Advanced Certification

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has been awarded the EDGE Advanced certification for green buildings, becoming the first bank and the first facility in Kuwait to receive this certification for its operational branches, a move that reflects its efforts to enhance sustainability and elevate the environmental performance efficiency of its facilities in accordance with internationally recognized standards.

The certification covers the Kifan and Shuwaikh branches, after they met the requirements of the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) system, an internationally recognized green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. The certificate was received by Mohammed Al-Arabid, Chief Executive Officer of Governance and Sustainability at KFH, and Yousef Al-Roumi, Senior Projects Manager at KFH.

This achievement comes within the framework of KFH’s efforts to improve the environmental performance of its facilities through data-driven, independently verified solutions, which contribute to optimizing resource consumption and supporting the bank’s sustainability strategy. It also demonstrates the bank’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its daily operations by applying these standards to its branches.

Commenting on this achievement, Meshal Al-Shaikh, Head of Compliance and Governance at the Group in KFH, stated that the receipt of the EDGE Advanced certification by the Kifan and Shuwaikh branches represents an important step in translating the bank’s sustainability commitments into tangible, measurable results. He added that this achievement embodies the bank’s dedication to improving its environmental performance in line with internationally recognized standards, based on independent evaluation and a clear approach to continuous improvement.

Al-Shaikh clarified that sustainability is a fundamental aspect of KFH’s operational framework, linked to operational excellence, effective governance, and reinforcing a culture of compliance and quality. He noted that applying these principles in existing branches enables enhanced resource efficiency while maintaining the high level of service expected by customers, and affirmed the bank’s continued efforts to expand the scope of sustainable practices across its branch network.

He further explained that the EDGE Advanced certification provides a practical framework that can be leveraged to develop the environmental performance of the bank’s branches and facilities in Kuwait, supporting the implementation of uniform standards for measuring resource efficiency across all KFH-owned buildings, rather than limiting sustainability efforts to isolated initiatives.

Al-Shaikh emphasized that this achievement strengthens KFH’s position in responsible banking and sustainable practices, and contributes to supporting the trend toward developing a more resource-efficient built environment in Kuwait.

Concluding his statement, he said: “At Kuwait Finance House, we believe that sustainability is a cornerstone for achieving responsible and inclusive economic growth. We are proud of our contribution to establishing advanced sustainability standards in the banking sector and supporting efforts to build an environmentally friendly future in Kuwait.”

The certification process for the two branches underwent a comprehensive assessment conducted by an EDGE-certified expert, followed by independent audits and verification. The evaluation covered building specifications, mechanical and electrical systems, renovation and development works, as well as operational processes, to verify the environmental performance efficiency of the branches and measure the achieved outcomes.

Following the completion of the review and verification of results, Bureau Veritas officially issued the certificate, acting as the certification body appointed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to issue EDGE certifications. This accreditation aligns with Kuwait Finance House’s strategic direction to expand the application of measurable sustainability standards across its buildings.

The EDGE system enables the assessment of buildings of various ages, sizes, uses, and operating conditions using a standardized methodology, facilitating the measurement of their environmental performance and comparison of their resource efficiency. The EDGE Advanced certification is awarded to buildings that achieve energy savings of at least 40% compared to the baseline defined by the system’s methodology.

The assessment encompasses three main aspects: energy consumption, water use efficiency, and embodied energy in construction materials—i.e., the energy used in extracting, manufacturing, transporting, and preparing materials for use in buildings. Additionally, the evaluation framework considers the building’s readiness to support the transition toward carbon neutrality, thereby reinforcing Kuwait Finance House’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation.