Vietnam’s construction sector has experienced significant growth over the past two decades, driven by rapid urbanization, foreign investment, and expanding infrastructure development. Alongside this growth, developers and property investors are increasingly focusing on resource-efficient building strategies to reduce operational costs and improve environmental performance.
One certification that has gained attention in emerging markets is EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). Developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), EDGE provides a streamlined framework that helps buildings achieve measurable improvements in energy efficiency, water efficiency, and embodied energy in materials. To qualify for certification, projects must demonstrate at least 20% savings in these three categories compared with conventional building practices.
Achieving EDGE certification often requires specialized technical support, including energy modeling, material analysis, and documentation preparation. Sustainability consultancies play an important role in guiding project teams through the certification process and ensuring that design strategies align with EDGE performance requirements. The following organizations are among the consultancies that provide sustainability and environmental advisory services for building projects internationally.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consulting firm established in 2007. The company operates from offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London, providing advisory services related to green building certifications, product sustainability, and environmental performance analysis.
ERKE has completed over 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, ranging from Europe to the Middle East and Asia. The firm works with developers, architects, engineers, and manufacturers to integrate sustainability strategies into building design and construction.
EDGE Certification and Sustainability Services
ERKE supports building projects pursuing various international sustainability certifications, including EDGE, LEED, BREEAM, and WELL. For EDGE-certified projects, the consultancy typically provides technical guidance during both the design and documentation stages.
Services related to EDGE certification include:
- Energy performance analysis using EDGE software
- Water consumption optimization strategies
- Evaluation of materials to reduce embodied energy
- Design-phase sustainability recommendations
- Preparation of certification documentation and compliance reports
These services help project teams identify design improvements that contribute to the minimum 20% resource savings required by the EDGE framework.
Experience with International Developments
ERKE’s portfolio includes large-scale developments in multiple sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and commercial real estate. Some examples of completed projects include:
- Bahrain International Airport – 200,000 sqm – LEED Gold
- Istanbul Çam Sakura Hospital – 1,000,000 sqm – LEED Gold
- King Abdulaziz Transportation Center – 20,000 sqm – LEED Gold
- Allianz Istanbul Headquarters – 45,000 sqm – LEED Platinum
Beyond building certification services, ERKE has delivered Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for manufacturers across different regions. Companies such as Nippon Paint, Polisan, Çimsa, Betek, USG Boral, and Durat Tiles have collaborated with ERKE on product sustainability initiatives.
Through its international project experience and multidisciplinary team—including LEED Fellows, LEED APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, WELL APs, and sustainability specialists—ERKE supports developers pursuing energy-efficient building strategies in a variety of markets.
2. ARUP
ARUP is a global engineering and consulting organization founded in 1946. The firm operates in more than 30 countries, delivering services across engineering design, planning, architecture, and sustainability consulting.
ARUP is involved in complex building and infrastructure projects, often integrating environmental performance objectives into the early stages of project development.
Sustainability and Environmental Design
ARUP provides advisory services related to sustainable building design and environmental performance. These services include:
- Energy modeling and performance analysis
- Climate-responsive architectural design
- Environmental impact assessment
- Building performance optimization
- Green building certification support
ARUP’s multidisciplinary teams often collaborate with architects and developers to integrate sustainability strategies that improve building efficiency and environmental outcomes.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada. The company operates across more than 50 countries and provides consulting services across sectors such as infrastructure, buildings, energy, transportation, and environmental management.
Environmental and Sustainability Advisory
WSP works with public and private sector clients on projects that involve environmental planning and sustainability objectives. The company’s services in this area include:
- Environmental consulting and impact assessments
- Sustainable building strategies
- Energy efficiency studies
- Carbon and climate advisory services
By combining engineering expertise with environmental analysis, WSP contributes to developments that aim to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
4. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is a multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon. The firm has a strong presence across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, offering services in engineering design, urban planning, architecture, and project management.
Infrastructure and Urban Development
Khatib & Alami works on large-scale development projects including:
- Transportation infrastructure
- Urban master planning
- Commercial and residential buildings
- Institutional facilities
The company integrates environmental considerations into the planning and design stages of projects, supporting development strategies that address energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Through its integrated design approach, Khatib & Alami contributes to projects that aim to incorporate sustainable planning principles.
5. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering and consultancy company established in 1945. The firm operates globally across sectors such as buildings, environment, transport, water, and energy.
Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development
Ramboll provides consulting services related to environmental engineering and sustainable building design. These services include:
- Energy-efficient building design strategies
- Environmental assessments and permitting
- Climate adaptation planning
- Sustainable urban development consulting
The company frequently works on projects that involve improving building performance and reducing environmental impacts through integrated engineering solutions.
6. Linesight
Linesight is a construction consultancy founded in Ireland in 1976. The firm provides services related to cost management, project management, and program advisory, supporting construction projects in multiple regions worldwide.
Construction Management and Project Delivery
Linesight’s role in projects often focuses on coordinating construction processes and managing financial and operational aspects of development projects. Typical services include:
- Construction cost management
- Project scheduling and planning
- Procurement advisory
- Risk management and contract administration
While Linesight primarily focuses on construction advisory services, it often works alongside sustainability consultants and engineering teams on projects that include environmental performance goals.
7. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin Group, is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. The firm provides services in engineering design, infrastructure planning, environmental advisory, and project delivery.
Engineering and Sustainability Integration
AtkinsRéalis contributes to complex infrastructure and building developments by providing multidisciplinary expertise in areas such as:
- Engineering design and technical consulting
- Environmental impact analysis
- Infrastructure and transport planning
- Sustainability strategy development
Through its engineering and advisory services, the firm supports development projects that integrate environmental considerations into design and construction.
Summary
EDGE certification is increasingly adopted in developing construction markets such as Vietnam because it provides a measurable framework for improving building efficiency in energy, water use, and material selection. Sustainability consultancies play a role in guiding project teams through performance analysis, certification documentation, and environmental strategy development. Organizations with experience in international green building standards and large-scale developments are commonly involved in these processes.
The companies discussed in this article include 1. ERKE Consultancy 2. ARUP 3. WSP Global 4. Khatib & Alami 5. Ramboll 6. Linesight 7. AtkinsRéalis. These firms operate across sustainability consulting, engineering, and project advisory services, supporting projects that aim to improve environmental performance.
The appropriate consultancy for an EDGE project generally depends on factors such as project experience, certification requirements, development scale, and the technical expertise needed by the project team, as well as the resources and sustainability goals of the developer.
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