Sarah Kapnick: The 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders of 2025

Since she joined J.P. Morgan as global head of climate advisory in late 2024, Sarah Kapnick has embarked on a mission to help the bank’s corporate and investment clients incorporate climate change into their business decisions. Her “Climate Intuition” reports channel her scientific expertise as the former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) into actionable insights toward investing in climate adaptation.

What is a climate solution that isn’t getting the attention or funding it deserves?

Adaptation and resilience investments are underfunded, but I hope this will start to change in the coming years. While mitigation—reducing emissions—remains essential, the reality is that we must also prepare for the impacts we’re already experiencing. There’s robust evidence that adaptation spending, from retrofitting buildings and infrastructure to investing in resilient agriculture, delivers a return on investment while simultaneously reducing vulnerabilities. I’ve seen some utilities and cities begin to lead the way, but broader attention and funding are needed to ensure that resilience isn’t just for privileged enclaves. We need to recognize that adaptation is not a fallback. It’s a vital, forward-looking investment.

What gives you hope about the future of the planet?

What gives me hope is the remarkable shift in dialogue and engagement across sectors in recent years. Having spent two decades at the crossroads of banking and science, I am now seeing leaders from every industry eager to use applied science to guide their decisions. There’s a growing willingness to start and sustain conversations, dream up solutions, and invest in both energy generation and resilience. Every week, I sit down with executives from diverse fields, and I’m inspired by their openness to new ideas and their commitment to action. Coupled with advances in data and technology, I am optimistic that building a more resilient and sustainable future is within our reach.

If you could stand up and talk to world leaders at the next COP, what would you say?

I would urge world leaders to recognize that climate change is not a distant threat, but a present reality shaping our economies, our communities, our daily lives, and our livelihoods. The policies and investments we make today will determine whether we simply react to crises or proactively build resilience. I’d emphasize the need for science-based decision-making, robust data, and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches. The future will reward those who act boldly and collaboratively, and I believe we have the tools and knowledge to rise to this challenge—if we choose to wield them.