Sarah Jackson, NewClimate Institute: “We need to be ready when the window of opportunity opens again.”

As a climate policy analyst at NewClimate Institute, Sarah Jackson works at the heart of EU climate diplomacy—helping shape partnerships that support countries in transitioning to cleaner, more equitable economies. Based in Berlin and Cologne, her team tackles everything from sustainable development to corporate responsibility and climate action tracking.

But Sarah’s motivation for this work is deeply personal—and rooted in a powerful shift in perspective.

“I remember reading Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything,” Sarah says. “It reframed climate action for me—not just as an environmental issue, but as a way to make society more just, more fair.”

That moment helped her see climate work as a path to broader social transformation: affordable housing, clean jobs, lower energy bills, and healthier communities. It was no longer just about emissions—it was about equity.

Changing the Narrative

Sarah has seen a major shift in how climate action is perceived—especially in the EU.

“It used to be seen as expensive and disruptive,” she explains. “Now we’re building a narrative around the benefits—cleaner air, lower electricity bills, and economic competitiveness.”

She believes this reframing is essential. If people can see the transition as a source of high-quality, safe jobs, it becomes something to embrace—not fear.

Signs of Progress

Despite the challenges, Sarah finds hope in real-world progress.

“Renewables are now cheap and widely seen as a way to boost energy security,” she says. “Countries are realising the risks of relying on fossil fuels.”

She points to Latin America, where no new coal plants are planned—a dramatic shift from just a decade ago.

Inspired by Collaboration

What keeps Sarah going isn’t just policy wins—it’s the people.

“At NewClimate, we have a diverse team—engineers, political scientists, people from all over the world. It’s incredibly inspiring.”

She also values the coalitions they’re part of, where shared purpose and collaboration drive meaningful change.

Staying Ready for What’s Next

Sarah is realistic about the political landscape.

“These things come in waves,” she says. “We’ve had some highs, and now we’re facing some lows.”

But she’s focused on preparation.

“We need to be ready for when the window of opportunity opens again. And we can’t let the loudest voices—often those in opposition—drown out the broader support for climate action.”

Her message is clear: stay grounded, stay hopeful, and keep building toward a just and sustainable future.

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The IKEA Foundation partners with NewClimate Institute to enable their work on increasing the accountability and integrity of climate and net-zero pledges.