As the world celebrates Earth Day, PMA Consultants is proud to highlight the critical work of sustainability champion Jenna Ide, who brings deep expertise in green building strategy and implementation. A dual-certified professional—LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and certified by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)—Jenna brings innovation, practicality, and foresight into the built environment. Her insights underscore that environmental consciousness is a powerful tool for efficiency, comfort, risk management, and long-term resilience.
At PMA, Jenna has been deeply involved in advancing sustainability, most notably through implementing Massport’s ambitious Net Zero by 2031 Plan. Massachusetts is home to some of the strongest environmental legislation in the country, and Massport is at the forefront, transforming sustainability from vision to action.
One standout initiative is Massport’s deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across its properties—a strategy that not only offsets emissions but empowers the authority to take greater control of its energy future. As Jenna puts it, “With renewables, people have more control because they own the energy source.”
While the vision is strong, challenges remain. Massachusetts’ dense population and aging infrastructure pose significant hurdles. Retrofitting old buildings, many of which are highly inefficient, is resource intensive. Another focus is reducing single-occupancy vehicle use, a deeply ingrained transportation habit that must be addressed through projects that incorporate innovation and support behavioral shifts.
For Jenna, sustainability is about practicality. “Building with sustainability in mind is an informed approach to risk management with an eye on the future,” she explains. “It’s not just virtue; it’s practicality.” In an increasingly unpredictable world, building sustainably offers tangible benefits: energy savings, improved occupant comfort, higher building performance, and enhanced resilience to physical and financial risks.
Risk awareness is baked into the most sustainable projects. Jenna notes, “If your building is not in a 100-year flood zone, that’s important to know. But also, what about your community? What’s the access like?” From fire risk to flooding, and from indoor air quality to energy resilience, sustainable buildings are inherently designed to mitigate a wide array of hazards. The insurance industry is beginning to notice too, as climate-related risk becomes more central to long-term asset protection.
Then there’s the ever-shifting landscape of funding and incentives. Jenna emphasizes the uncertainty around solar and wind investment tax credits, especially for public agencies that often rely on programs offering direct grants and other funding sources. Energy efficiency initiatives typically pull from a range of funding sources, which makes program continuity crucial. To secure funding, you adapt your messaging based on the current societal landscape,” Jenna notes. “Sometimes that means phasing in a project—taking more time, breaking it into stages—but always moving forward.”
Jenna’s LEED AP credential has been a valuable asset in helping clients achieve and maintain high standards in green building. “LEED has really diversified,” she says. “It covers more building types now, including tenant fit-outs and even entire neighborhoods.”
She sees LEED’s flexibility as a strength. “There’s always a controlled tension between those who want the standards to be stricter and those who want them to be more broadly applicable.” While there are some drawbacks—such as the cost of certification and the sometimes-burdensome paperwork—early planning and integrated design can significantly reduce those costs. “The earlier you bring your contractor on board, the better,” she advises. “You get a leg up by getting that information early.”
Jenna also recognizes the growing role of other reporting and accountability frameworks:
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provides a comprehensive reporting framework for companies worldwide, covering everything from environmental impact to human rights. The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) offers metrics on environmental and social governance (ESG) performance that are especially valuable to investors. These tools give both the public and investors transparency into how companies manage environmental risks, supply chains, energy use, and more.
Looking ahead, Jenna is optimistic. “Efficiency and renewables save money no matter which way the political winds blow.” The economic incentives make sustainable building a lasting trend, not a passing fad. As technology improves and modeling tools become more precise, the ability to design smarter, more resilient, and more cost-effective buildings will only grow.
She visualizes a fully realized net-zero energy building— “designed right from the beginning, well thought out, with reductions in capital costs and operational emissions.” She emphasizes that it’s not about a single decision, but about every decision: “Simple choices can be very sustainable.”
“One thing I think is exciting about PMA is that we don’t just talk about visioning and planning—we implement,” Jenna says. “We make it happen. That, to me, is the beauty of being in construction.”
As we celebrate Earth Day, we are inspired by Jenna’s unwavering belief in the power of sustainable design to reshape our future. At PMA, we are proud to support clients who embrace environmental consciousness not just as a responsibility, but as a strategy for building smarter and stronger communities.
Earth Day is a reminder of what’s at stake—but also of what’s possible when sustainability meets action. And thanks to leaders like Jenna, the future is not just greener—it’s brighter.