Kenya Green Building Society (KBGS), the Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced that Governor Johnson Sakaja’s office has achieved IFC’s EDGE green building standard.
This achievement marks the Nairobi City County Governor’s office as the first EDGE-certified green government office building in Africa.
The EDGE certification is a green building certification system developed by the IFC with a focus on enhancing the resource efficiency of new buildings.
This system enables project owners and design teams to assess cost-effective approaches to integrating energy and water-saving measures into various building types, including homes, hotels, hospitals, offices, and retail spaces.
Projects that demonstrate a projected 20 percent reduction in energy and water consumption compared to conventional buildings are eligible for EDGE certification.
To attain EDGE certification, the governor’s office implemented a series of strategies aimed at reducing energy and water consumption by 28 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
These strategies included the use of energy-efficient building materials, the installation of efficient interior lighting systems, and the implementation of water-efficient fixtures.
This certification highlights the leadership role of government entities in climate action, serving as a significant step for Nairobi in realizing its Climate Action Plan and positioning the city as a global green capital.
The timing of the certification aligns with the emphasis on the crucial role of cities and governments in combating climate change, as highlighted at the recent United Nations climate conference in Dubai in December.
Expressing enthusiasm about the award, Johnson Arthur Sakaja, Governor of Nairobi City County, stated, “We are grateful for this recognition and remain committed to continuing to make Nairobi green and achieve the target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
We are implementing our Climate Action Plan (CAP) and continue to push for green legislation and initiatives because we must leave the next generation with a sustainable and livable city.”
Dennis Odenyi, the green building lead at the EDGE green building transformation program, emphasized the significance of the certification, considering it a symbol of commitment to environmentally conscious city development.
The hope is that this certification will inspire developers and other investors to also pursue EDGE certification for their buildings.
