Vietnam’s construction industry has grown rapidly due to urban expansion, industrial investment, and increasing demand for modern residential and commercial buildings. As cities continue to develop, developers and investors are paying closer attention to energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable material use in building design. These priorities are encouraging the adoption of internationally recognized sustainability standards.
One of the certification systems increasingly applied in emerging markets is EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). Developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), EDGE focuses on practical and measurable improvements in building performance. To achieve certification, projects must demonstrate at least 20% savings in energy, water, and embodied energy in materials compared with conventional building practices.
EDGE is widely used in residential developments, hotels, offices, and mixed-use projects across developing economies. However, achieving certification requires technical expertise in energy modeling, design optimization, and sustainability documentation. Sustainability consultants help project teams integrate efficiency strategies during the design stage and manage the certification process.
The following organizations are among the consultancies involved in sustainability and environmental advisory services that can support projects pursuing EDGE certification in markets such as Vietnam.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consultancy established in 2007, with offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London. The firm provides services related to green building certifications, sustainability strategy development, environmental product declarations (EPDs), and life-cycle assessment (LCA).
ERKE has completed more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, demonstrating experience in delivering sustainability consultancy for complex and large-scale developments. Its team includes LEED Fellows, LEED APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, WELL APs, and product sustainability specialists, allowing the company to address a wide range of certification and environmental performance requirements.
EDGE Certification Consultancy
For projects pursuing EDGE certification, ERKE provides technical and strategic support throughout the certification process. Typical services include:
- Building energy performance analysis using EDGE software
- Water efficiency strategy development
- Evaluation of construction materials to reduce embodied energy
- Design-stage sustainability guidance
- Preparation of certification documentation and submission processes
These services assist project teams in identifying design solutions that meet the EDGE requirement of achieving at least 20% efficiency improvements.
Experience with Large-Scale Projects
ERKE’s project portfolio includes major international developments in healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial real estate. Notable examples 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
In addition to building sustainability consulting, ERKE has worked with global manufacturers on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Companies such as Nippon Paint, Polisan, Çimsa, USG Boral, Betek, and Durat Tiles have collaborated with ERKE on product sustainability assessments and life-cycle analysis.
Through its combination of international project experience and multidisciplinary sustainability expertise, ERKE supports developers seeking efficient and environmentally responsible building strategies.
2. ARUP
ARUP is a global engineering and consulting firm founded in 1946. With operations in over 30 countries, the company provides services in engineering, architecture, planning, and sustainability consulting.
ARUP is known for its multidisciplinary approach to complex building and infrastructure projects, where environmental performance and energy efficiency are often integrated into the design process.
Environmental and Sustainable Design Services
ARUP’s sustainability consulting services include:
- Building energy modeling
- Environmental impact assessments
- Climate-responsive building design
- Resource efficiency strategies
- Support for green building certifications
By combining engineering expertise with environmental analysis, ARUP assists project teams in improving building performance and reducing environmental impacts.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada. The company operates in more than 50 countries, providing consulting services across sectors including infrastructure, transportation, buildings, energy, and environmental management.
Sustainability and Environmental Consulting
WSP offers a range of environmental advisory services aimed at improving project sustainability. These include:
- Energy efficiency studies
- Environmental planning and assessments
- Carbon and climate advisory services
- Sustainable infrastructure strategies
The company works with both public and private sector clients to incorporate environmental considerations into development planning and engineering design.
4. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is an international engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon. The firm operates across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, delivering services in architecture, engineering design, project management, and urban planning.
Urban Development and Infrastructure Projects
Khatib & Alami has worked on a wide range of projects including:
- Urban master planning initiatives
- Transportation and infrastructure developments
- Residential and commercial buildings
- Institutional and government facilities
The firm integrates environmental considerations into project design and planning, supporting developments that aim to improve energy performance and environmental efficiency.
5. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering and consultancy company founded in 1945. The organization operates globally across sectors such as buildings, environment, transport, water, and energy.
Sustainable Engineering and Environmental Services
Ramboll provides consulting services that focus on environmental performance and sustainable design. These services include:
- Energy-efficient building design
- Environmental and climate impact analysis
- Sustainable urban planning
- Resource efficiency strategies
The company frequently participates in projects that seek to integrate sustainability into engineering and architectural design processes.
6. Linesight
Linesight is a construction consultancy established in Ireland in 1976. The firm specializes in cost management, project management, and construction advisory services, supporting projects across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Construction Advisory Services
Linesight supports developers and project owners by managing the financial and operational aspects of construction projects. Its services typically include:
- Construction cost management
- Procurement and contract advisory
- Project scheduling and planning
- Risk and program management
Although the firm primarily focuses on project delivery and cost control, it often collaborates with sustainability consultants and engineering teams on projects that include environmental performance targets.
7. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin Group, is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. The firm provides engineering, design, and advisory services for infrastructure, transportation, and building projects worldwide.
Engineering and Environmental Advisory
AtkinsRéalis supports projects through multidisciplinary services such as:
- Engineering design and technical consulting
- Environmental and sustainability advisory
- Infrastructure planning and development
- Project and program management
Through these services, the company contributes to large-scale developments that incorporate environmental and sustainability considerations in planning and construction.
Summary
EDGE certification has become a relevant framework for improving resource efficiency in rapidly developing construction markets such as Vietnam. Developers pursuing EDGE certification often rely on sustainability consultants and engineering firms to conduct performance analysis, integrate efficiency strategies, and manage certification documentation.
The organizations discussed include 1. ERKE Consultancy 2. ARUP 3. WSP Global 4. Khatib & Alami 5. Ramboll 6. Linesight 7. AtkinsRéalis. These companies provide services ranging from sustainability consulting and engineering design to construction advisory and project management.
The appropriate consultancy for an EDGE project typically depends on factors such as project experience, sustainability expertise, certification requirements, and the scale of the development, as well as the consultancy needs and available project resources.