Airports are the highest energy and water-consuming infrastructure per square meter in the construction sector. The 24/7 operation of HVAC, lighting, security, and ground operations systems makes energy efficiency an operational priority, not just an environmental one. IATA targets net zero emissions by 2050, and ACI's Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program requires airports to progressively certify and reduce their emissions. Airport expansion and new infrastructure projects seeking financing from IDB, IFC, CAF, or development banks must meet verifiable environmental standards. EDGE is the certification that makes that possible in the design and construction phase.
Initial assessment: We analyze the terminal or airport infrastructure design and identify the measures needed to achieve EDGE's required 20% savings in energy, water, and materials.
Registration and modeling: We create the project file in the EDGE platform and calculate the efficiency score calibrated for the airport use type, climate zone, and operational profile of the facility.
Technical audit: An IFC-accredited auditor validates compliance with EDGE criteria before construction and upon project completion, with protocols specific to airport infrastructure.
Certification issued: The project receives the official EDGE seal for airport infrastructure, enabling access to multilateral financing and positioning as a certified sustainable airport.
It applies to both new terminals and significant expansions of existing airport infrastructure. The EDGE evaluation process can be adapted to the specific scope of the project, whether a complete terminal or a boarding gate expansion.
EDGE and ACA are complementary. EDGE certifies the efficiency measures in the infrastructure's design and construction, providing the efficiency baseline that ACA needs to calculate and accredit the airport's operational emission reductions.
Between 6 and 12 weeks from registration to the issuance of the design certificate, depending on project complexity. The final certification is issued once construction is complete.
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