Kuwait Finance House First Bank in Kuwait to Win 'EDGE Advanced' Certification
Kuwait Finance House received the EDGE Advanced certification for its Qibla and Shuwaikh branches, with energy savings exceeding 40%.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
Khowan and Shuwaikh branches achieve energy consumption savings exceeding 40%
Al-Shaikh: The achievement reflects our commitment to enhancing environmental performance in line with globally recognized sustainability standards
Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has obtained 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. This step reflects the institution's efforts to enhance sustainability and elevate environmental performance efficiency in its facilities according to internationally recognized standards.
The certification covers the Khowan and Shuwaikh branches, after they met the requirements of the EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) system, an internationally recognized standard for green buildings developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
The certificate was received by Mohammed Al-Arabit, Executive Director 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 solutions subject to independent verification, contributing to resource conservation and supporting the bank's sustainability strategy. Furthermore, applying these standards to the branches reflects the bank's commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its daily operations.
Commenting on this achievement, Meshal Al-Shaikh, Head of Compliance and Governance at the Group in KFH, stated that the Khowan and Shuwaikh branches obtaining the EDGE Advanced certification 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 according to internationally recognized standards, based on independent evaluation and a clear approach to continuous improvement.
Sustainability as a Work System
Al-Shaikh clarified that sustainability represents a fundamental aspect of the work system at KFH, linked to operational excellence, effective governance, and reinforcing a culture of compliance and quality. He noted that applying these principles in existing branches enables enhancing resource efficiency while maintaining the level of service expected by customers, emphasizing the continuation of efforts to expand the scope of sustainable practices across the bank's branch network.
He added 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 application of uniform standards for measuring resource efficiency across buildings owned by KFH, rather than limiting sustainability efforts to isolated initiatives.
Al-Shaikh affirmed that this achievement enhances KFH's position in responsible banking and sustainable practices, contributing to supporting the trend toward developing a more resource-efficient built environment in Kuwait.
He said, "At KFH, we believe that sustainability is a fundamental pillar 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 aimed at building an environmentally friendly future in Kuwait."
Independent Evaluation According to Recognized Standards
The certification process for the two branches underwent a comprehensive evaluation conducted by an EDGE-certified expert, followed by independent auditing and verification. The evaluation included 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 results.
After completing the review and verifying the results, Bureau Veritas issued the certificate officially, acting as the certification body appointed by the International Finance Corporation to issue EDGE certificates.
The adoption of this system comes within the context of Kuwait Finance House’s (KFH) move 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 unified 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 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 construction materials, which refers to the energy used in extracting, manufacturing, transporting, and processing materials for use in buildings.
The assessment framework also considers the building’s readiness to support the transition toward carbon neutrality, thereby reinforcing KFH’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation.
