Building for a Sustainable Future

HERA’s IndustryX.O Centre is more than just a new innovation hub – it’s a testbed for how the built environment can align with global sustainability goals. While construction is still underway, we’ve already taken steps to measure and disclose the building’s environmental footprint using Planetary Accounting, a world-first for a building assessment.

What makes this building different?

• Planetary Accounting first – This is the first time a New Zealand building has been assessed against the Planetary Boundaries, giving us a clear view of how its impacts compare with the safe operating space for people and the planet.
• Green Star excellence – The project is targeting a 6 Green Star Design & As Built certification, demonstrating leadership in sustainable construction.
• Science-based insights – The Planetary Facts assessment shows that the Centre’s upfront impacts from materials and construction are just 2% of an annual per-capita environmental budget for 2030. When end-of-life demolition and waste are included, this increases to 9%, highlighting the importance of designing with circularity in mind.
• Material hotspots identified – Concrete and steel were found to be the biggest contributors to carbon and waste footprints, providing opportunities for innovation in material choice, recycling, and re-use.

Why it matters

The global construction sector is responsible for around 37% of CO₂ emissions and over a third of all solid waste. By applying Planetary Accounting now, HERA is helping define what a truly sustainable building looks like – not only in 2030, but for decades ahead.

Looking forward

The IndustryX.O Centre is designed as a collaborative space for research, testing, and innovation in heavy engineering and construction. By disclosing its environmental performance openly, we aim to inspire industry partners, suppliers, and clients to join us in driving down carbon, waste, and other impacts – from the start of a project right through to its end of life.

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