IFC awards EDGE Green Building Certification to Access Bank

By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])

Access Bank Ghana PLC has received the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) Green Building Certification for its banking headquarters in Osu-Accra.

This recognition underscores the bank’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The EDGE certification programme, supported by the United Kingdom Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) with initial funding from Switzerland’s State Secretariat For Economic Affairs (SECO), is a globally recognised standard for green buildings.

It ensures that certified buildings meet high efficiency standards in energy use, water conservation and reduced embodied carbon in materials.

As such, it recognises Access Bank’s commitment to sustainable building practices and its efforts to reduce energy consumption, water usage and embodied carbon in building materials.

Impact

Access Bank Ghana’s head office is set to achieve a 29 percent reduction in energy consumption, a 25 percent reduction in water use and a 99 percent reduction in embodied carbon in materials.

The building incorporates sustainability measures such as insulated exterior walls, high-performance glass, an efficient cooling system, low-flow water fixtures, and the use of low embodied carbon materials. Additionally, retrofits, including aerators on faucets, were implemented to meet EDGE water efficiency standards.

Speaking at the certification hand-over ceremony in Accra, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana, Olumide Olatunji, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to sustainability.

“At Access Bank, sustainability is at the core of our operations, and achieving IFC’s EDGE certification for our head office building is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainable banking. This milestone reflects our deliberate efforts to integrate resource efficiency, environmental responsibility and innovation into our operations,” he stated.

Mr. Olatunji further highlighted the strategic importance of sustainability, noting that efficiency in resource usage not only benefits the environment but also enhances financial performance.

“There are two ways to make money: either you grow your revenue or you bring down your costs. By managing our costs efficiently through sustainability, we ensure that we can pay dividends, make our shareholders happy and provide long-term financing for our customers,” he added.

IFC’s role in green building development

IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, Dalia Khalifa, commended Access Bank’s leadership in sustainability.

“We are delighted to award Access Bank with the EDGE Green Building Certification. Access Bank’s commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency sets a strong example for other financial institutions. This certification underscores the importance of integrating green building practices to create a positive impact on the environment and society,” she said.

She also emphasised the financial benefits of sustainability, saying: “Sustainable buildings not only help protect the environment but also lower operational expenses. When businesses reduce their energy and water consumption, they bring more value to their customers and shareholders, while also extending more services to their client base”.

The EDGE certification programme promotes green building practices globally, having certified over 100 million square metres of floorspace in nearly 200 countries.

In Ghana, there are about 54 ongoing projects and about 800,000 square metres of offices, homes, hospitals, retail stores and warehouses have received EDGE certification. IFC continues to support green projects in the country, including LMI Holdings’ 16.84-megawatt solar rooftop project.

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