Today, it is undeniable that the search for more sustainable practices in different sectors of the economy has become a strategic imperative. Companies from all segments are looking for ways to align their operations with global environmental demands and EDGE Certification has emerged as an effective solution in this process. In the area of cold chain logistics, where sustainability faces unique challenges, implementing EDGE Certification can be crucial to reducing environmental impact and ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent legislation.
Consumption of chilled and frozen food is in high demand worldwide, and the sector in general is under pressure to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. In other words, sustainable cold chain logistics is facing a sensitive time. This is because concerns about climate change are growing and, of course, legislation and customer requirements are becoming more stringent, creating a complex scenario of challenges, but also opportunities.
In the case of refrigerated storage, the biggest carbon footprint is electricity. For this reason, the growing demand for renewable sources of electricity and the need to be more environmentally responsible has led companies to seek certifications that not only validate their efforts, but also position them as leaders in sustainable innovation. Thus, EDGE Certification becomes a competitive differentiator, offering a structured and practical approach to increasingly sustainable logistics.
What is EDGE Certification anyway?
The EDGE Certification (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) was created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, represents an evolution in the concept of sustainability applied to construction. Unlike other certifications, which ended up being too focused on high-end buildings, EDGE focuses specifically on the economic viability of sustainable buildings, promoting a balance between cost and benefits without compromising environmental performance.
In a nutshell, the certification requires buildings to meet strict efficiency criteria in three main areas: energy, water and materials, ensuring that buildings minimally achieve a conservation of 20% in each of these categories compared to conventional ones, reducing environmental impact while saving money.
Benefits of EDGE Certification for cold chain logistics
Achieving EDGE certification is definitely not good for the environment alone. In cold chain logistics projects, for example, it brings benefits that go further, such as reduced operating costs and improved reputation as well. This is because, in a sector where strict temperature control is crucial, the energy efficiency provided by certification can result in significant savings and the mitigation of environmental impact.
In addition, EDGE-certified companies often stand out in the market for their corporate responsibility, attracting customers and partners who share similar sustainability and innovation values. In short, by reducing the consumption of natural resources such as energy and water, the benefits of EDGE Certification reflect positively not only on companies’ balance sheets, but also strengthen their reputations in the global marketplace, where consumers and stakeholders are increasingly attentive to the environmental practices of their supply chains.
Steps of the EDGE Certification process
In order to achieve EDGE Certification, warehouses need to go through a detailed and meticulous process, which is divided into three fundamental stages. Each of these stages requires a deep commitment to sustainability, from the initial design to the facility’s ongoing operation. And in case you’re wondering about the cost of this green building certification, the fact is that it may vary, depending on the size of the project, its complexity, location and current level of energy efficiency. Not to mention the possibility of documentation, assessment and verification fees, which must also be considered.
Basically, the steps of the EDGE Certification process are as follows:
Project
In this step, the development team must integrate technologies and design strategies that maximize the building’s energy and water efficiency. This includes the selection of materials with a lower carbon footprint, the implementation of efficient air conditioning systems and the use of water management technologies. The EDGE software, available free of charge, is an essential tool at this stage, allowing the simulation of potential savings and the identification of the most impactful areas for optimization.
Construction
This is where planning comes into play, and where adherence to the sustainability principles defined in the project is essential. It is during this phase that it is necessary to ensure that all the specified materials and systems are correctly installed and that green building practices are carried out with precision. That’s why it’s important to invest in continuous monitoring during this phase, preventing possible deviations and ensuring that the project aligns perfectly with the established criteria.
Operation
This is the moment when the projected efficiency can be confirmed. It’s worth remembering that EDGE-certified buildings are subject to regular monitoring to ensure that energy, water and material savings are actually achieved, living up to the green building certification. Therefore, it is at this point that companies can and should adjust their operations to further optimize performance, ensuring that the warehouse continues to operate within the planned sustainable parameters.
Different levels of EDGE Certification
EDGE Certification has three different levels, each one representing a level of efficiency and environmental commitment:
EDGE Certified
This is considered the basic level, when the building must demonstrate conservation of at least 20% in energy, water and materials, and is the first step for companies that wish to start a journey towards sustainability and to validate their practices with an internationally recognized certification.
EDGE Advanced
In EDGE Advanced, the requirements become more stringent and buildings must demonstrate energy conservation of at least 40%, as well as making substantial improvements throughout the project to promote greater efficiency in operations.
EDGE Zero Carbon
EDGE Zero Carbon is the most advanced level and is reserved for buildings that not only conserve energy, but also offset their carbon emissions. Achieving this level requires a total commitment to sustainability, including the use of renewable energies and the implementation of carbon offsetting practices (zero carbon). Because we know the importance of global sustainable logistics, we at Emergent Cold Latam have invested in this commitment and we are pleased to have been awarded the title as the first in the world in this sector to receive the EDGE Zero Carbon certification.
Tools and resources available
Unlike other certifications, EDGE Certification provides a variety of tools and resources to facilitate the journey of companies towards sustainability in buildings. The EDGE simulation software is such a tool, allowing companies to quickly determine the ideal combination of building design strategies for the best return on investment. In addition, the platform offers access to an extensive database of sustainable materials and innovative technologies, helping developers to make assertive decisions at every stage of the process.
Examples of EDGE Certified projects
Now that you know a bit more about EDGE Certification, you might be wondering if there are any successful cases of buildings that have opted for this green building certification and have become examples of how sustainability can be effectively integrated into different contexts. The truth is that everything from large distribution centers to small cold chain warehouses can successfully apply the certification, generating considerable savings and promoting a positive environmental impact.
In our case, for example, we have eight buildings with EDGE Advanced certification, one with EDGE Zero Carbon certification, and we continue to invest to achieve significant reductions in energy use and take a leading role in sustainable logistics, also through energy efficiency projects and technologies.
How to implement EDGE certification in your company
Implementing EDGE Certification can help companies optimize their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals by providing a framework for assessing and improving the sustainability and efficiency of their buildings. To do this, it is essential to invest in strategic planning that focuses on an assertive understanding of the certification requirements.
For those who wish to get started, the first step is to carry out a detailed analysis of current operations and identify areas where savings can be achieved and determine eligibility for EDGE Certification. Next, it is essential to develop an action plan that includes the selection of sustainable building materials, technologies and practices. Then, it’s time to implement the sustainability plan, to put the green-building measures into practice.
Don’t forget to document all the measures implemented, as well as hiring an auditor or certification body to verify your compliance with global EDGE standards. Last but not least, having a team of experts who can guide the process from start to finish is crucial to ensuring success in obtaining the certification.
If you meet all the requirements, you will be able to receive EDGE Certification.
Our experience in protecting your product throughout the cold chain for food makes us a standout choice in Latin America.
