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

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has received the “EDGE Advanced” green building certification, becoming the first bank and the first facility in Kuwait to obtain this certification for its operational branches, a move that reflects its efforts to enhance sustainability and elevate environmental performance efficiency in 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, having achieved energy consumption savings exceeding 40%. This is an internationally recognized standard for green buildings developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

This achievement comes within the framework of the bank’s efforts to improve the environmental performance of its facilities through data-driven solutions subject to independent verification, thereby contributing to resource conservation and supporting KFH’s sustainability strategy. It also reflects the bank’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its daily operations by applying these standards to its branches.

Commenting on the achievement, Meshal Al-Shaie, Head of Compliance and Governance at the Group, 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 measurable, tangible results.

Al-Shaie clarified that sustainability is a fundamental aspect of KFH’s operational framework, linked to operational excellence, effective governance, and the consolidation of 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 added that “EDGE Advanced” provides a practical framework that can be leveraged to develop the environmental performance of KFH’s branches and facilities in Kuwait, supporting the implementation of uniform standards for measuring resource efficiency across all KFH buildings, rather than limiting sustainability efforts to isolated initiatives.

Al-Shaie 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 remarks, Al-Shaie said, “At KFH, 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 “EDGE Advanced” certification is awarded to buildings that achieve energy consumption savings of at least 40% compared to the baseline defined by the system’s methodology. The assessment covers three main aspects: energy consumption, water efficiency, and embodied energy in building materials, which refers to the energy used in extracting, manufacturing, transporting, and processing materials for use in buildings.

Furthermore, the evaluation framework considers the building’s readiness to support the transition toward carbon neutrality, thereby reinforcing KFH’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation.