Habib University Becomes First in Region to Earn IFC EDGE Advanced Certification

Habib University has made history by becoming the first university in South Asia and the Middle East, Central Asia, and Türkiye (MCA) region to receive the EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This global recognition marks Habib University’s Karachi campus as a model of environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

With a site area of over 45,000 square meters, the campus was designed to optimize energy, water, and materials use through smart architecture and passive design. These efforts have resulted in 40% energy savings, water savings equal to 1,200 tankers, and carbon reductions comparable to planting 2,200 trees over ten years.

“This milestone affirms Habib University’s commitment to sustainability and to leading with conscience,” said Wasif A. Rizvi, President of Habib University. Azher Abbas, Head of Infrastructure, Planning, and Development, added that the campus “was built smart, built green, and built for the future.”

Naz Khan, IFC Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, praised the achievement as proof that sustainable construction is both possible and cost-effective in urban settings like Karachi. Aftab Ahmed, IFC Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, called it “a powerful example for higher education institutions across the region.”

The project was supported by CIFPAK, a climate-focused blended finance program managed by IFC in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Habib University’s recognition underscores its role as a climate-conscious, future-ready institution dedicated to excellence in design, education, and sustainability.