Across its network, the Aga Khan Schools is strengthening its commitment to environmentally responsible practices, with multiple campuses achieving and progressing towards the internationally recognised Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) certification. These milestones position the schools as practical examples of climate-conscious design in diverse contexts, while also reflecting a growing alignment with the wider sustainability ambitions of the Aga Khan Development Network to become net carbon zero by 2030. 

EDGE was developed by the International Finance Corporation to make green building certification more accessible and combat climate change. The certification is awarded to buildings that demonstrate 20% or more in energy savings and reductions in both water use and embodied energy in materials, setting a clear pathway to zero-carbon-ready buildings. 

In Tanzania, the nursery section of the Aga Khan Nursery and Primary School, Dar es Salaam became the first school in the country to achieve the EDGE Advanced Certification in 2025. Sustainability was placed at the heart of the nursery section’s refurbishment in 2024. From structural planning to the selection of materials, every design decision was purposefully aligned with green building principles in mind. These efforts resulted in a campus that runs on 100% solar power during daylight hours, supported by high-efficiency LED lighting and water-saving systems.  

Its design also enhances the learning environment with natural lighting, improved ventilation and comfortable indoor temperatures to support student well-being and engagement. Building on this success, the rest of the school is currently being refurbished and new buildings are being built in phases. This is being designed to EDGE Advanced standards with the aim of achieving the EDGE Net Zero Carbon certification through its operations once fully complete.  

“This certification demonstrates our commitment to creating spaces where children feel inspired, safe and connected to nature,” said the nursery section’s Early Years Coordinator Mubanga Mulenga. “By integrating sustainability into everyday learning, we give children real opportunities to observe, question and engage with concepts that build lifelong awareness and responsibility.” 

Further progress is evident in Bangladesh at the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka, which continues to build on its existing EDGE certification that it received in 2022. Designed to respond to a hot and humid climate, the award-winning campus’s buildings are oriented around a central “Maidan” to create a cooler microclimate, while courtyards and breezeways also provide a natural ventilation. This is supplemented by ceiling fans, air conditioning and low energy LED light fittings which add to the limited usage of electric power. Water stewardship is equally prioritised through rainwater harvesting, recycled irrigation systems and extensive greenery that improves air quality and comfort. 

The Academy campus is now advancing towards EDGE Advanced Certification for the wider campus, with planned solar installations and a proposed large-scale, 600 kW+ ground-mounted solar farm.  

Building on the momentum generated thus far, the Aga Khan Schools aims to have all its new school buildings receive EDGE certification. This includes its schools in the remote, northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, such as the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gahkuch, which has been designed to achieve the EDGE Advanced Certification in the future when the school is complete. The school’s design aims for 100% solar-powered electricity, with features such as a low wall-to-window ratio, double glazing, external shading, reflective paint and insulation to maintain comfort without air conditioning.  

Water sustainability at the school is addressed through efficient fixtures, such as low-flow faucets, showerheads and water closets, as well as rainwater harvesting and an on-site wastewater treatment system. The campus also significantly reduces embodied energy by prioritising locally sourced, low-impact building materials such as stone masonry, timber studs for insulation and light-weight metal roofing as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete. These measures show that sustainable design can be built in from the start, even in remote, rural areas. 

These efforts collectively highlight how the Aga Khan Schools is applying sustainable design principles across diverse settings – from dense urban settings to rural communities – with each project tailored to its local context while working toward a common goal of reducing environmental impact and improving quality of life. 

As more Aga Khan schools move towards certification, this growing portfolio signals individual achievements and reflects a broader commitment to shaping campuses that support learning and model responsible stewardship of resources for the communities they serve.