EDGE was created by IFC, part of the World Bank, to help property owners and developers build and operate green buildings in a fast and affordable way. It is supported by free software that encourages solutions to reduce energy, water and embodied energy in materials by at least 20 percent, which is the minimum standard for EDGE certification.
“As one of the largest retailers in the world, we feel a responsibility to help reduce environmental impact when we modernise and build new stores” says Mads T. Nielsen, Chief Property Management Officer for Lidl Danmark. “Buildings and their operation are areas where we are committed to operating in an environmentally sound manner. That is why today we already build using environmentally friendly components, with, for example, LED lights, low-energy windows and water savers in all stores. We have therefore been able to get all our stores and warehouses EDGE-certified, a certification that proves that we build according to internationally recognised sustainability standards.”
The Lidl Danmark stores were certified by Sintali-SGS, one of IFC’s global certification providers. Through the development of an innovative portfolio certification process, Sintali and SGS helped Lidl Danmark undergo the certification process of 119 buildings in a streamlined and efficient manner.
“According to the Danish Green Building Council up until now there were 96 buildings certified widely across different organisations in Denmark,” says Eleni Polychroniadou, Commercial Director at Sintali. “With Lidl Danmark’s certification of 119 buildings, it would be safe to say that Lidl is now the largest owner of reported green building certified assets in Denmark. By taking a portfolio approach and greening its entire stock of buildings, Lidl Danmark is proving that scale is possible with EDGE and taking a position of leadership in the global real estate market.”
Lidl Danmark is committed to ensuring all its future stores are sustainable. The company plans to build 21 new stores in 2021, which will be built according to EDGE standards and undergo certification.
