Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has become the first bank in Kuwait to achieve the prestigious EDGE Advanced green building certification for operating branches, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey and reinforcing its commitment to integrating measurable environmental performance across its operations.

Executive Manager Governance and Sustainability at KFH, Mohammad Alarbeed, and Senior Manager Project at KFH, Yousef Alroumi received the certificate in a ceremony held at KFH Auto.

The certification was awarded to KFH’s Kaifan and Shaab branches under EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), the internationally recognized green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

The achievement underscores KFH’s ongoing efforts to improve the environmental performance of its facilities through independently verified, data-driven solutions that enhance resource efficiency and support the Bank’s broader sustainability strategy. By applying internationally recognized green building standards to existing and fully operational branches, KFH demonstrates how sustainability can be successfully embedded into day-to-day banking operations.

Commenting on the achievement, Head of Group Compliance and Governance at KFH, Meshal Alshayee, said: “Achieving EDGE Advanced certification for our Kaifan and Shaab branches marks an important step in translating KFH’s sustainability commitments into tangible and measurable outcomes. It reflects our dedication to strengthening environmental performance through globally recognized standards, independent assessment, and a structured approach to continuous improvement.”

Alshayee added: “At KFH, sustainability is closely linked to operational excellence, effective governance, and a strong culture of compliance and quality. This achievement demonstrates how these principles can be applied across existing facilities to enhance resource efficiency while maintaining the high standards of service our customers expect.  This milestone reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance sustainable practices throughout our branch network.”

He noted that the certification provides KFH with a practical framework for advancing sustainability performance across its branches and facilities in Kuwait, supporting a broader portfolio-wide approach to environmental efficiency rather than isolated sustainability initiatives.

Alshayee further emphasized that this milestone reinforces KFH’s position as a leader in responsible banking and sustainable business practices, while contributing to the development of a more resource-efficient built environment in Kuwait.

Concluding his remarks, Alshayee said: “At KFH, we believe sustainability is fundamental to responsible and inclusive economic growth. We are proud to set new benchmarks for sustainability within the banking sector and contribute to building a greener and more sustainable future for Kuwait.”

About the Certification Process

The certification process involved a comprehensive assessment conducted by an accredited EDGE Expert, followed by independent verification and auditing. The evaluation covered building specifications, mechanical and electrical systems, renovation and upgrade works, as well as operational practices to measure and validate the branches’ environmental performance.

The results were independently reviewed and verified before the certification was formally issued by Bureau Veritas, the global certification body appointed by IFC for EDGE certifications.

The adoption of the EDGE framework supports KFH’s long-term objective of expanding measurable sustainability standards across its property portfolio. Designed to accommodate buildings of different ages, sizes, functions, and operational conditions, the framework provides a consistent methodology for assessing and benchmarking environmental performance across a diverse network of facilities.

EDGE Advanced certification is awarded to buildings that achieve a minimum of 40% energy savings compared with the applicable baseline under the EDGE methodology. The standard evaluates environmental performance across three key areas:

• Energy consumption
• Water efficiency
• Embodied energy in building materials

The certification framework also assesses a building’s readiness to support the transition toward carbon neutrality, further strengthening KFH’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.