Who we are
The mission of the Climate Zeitgeist is to catalyse and facilitate investment in business solutions that address climate change.
Driven by the demand for companies and countries to decarbonise and meet net zero goals, a whole new global climate solutions industry is rapidly evolving.Climate Zeitgeist is at the forefront of this global movement.
We work with investors, funds and financiers, companies with decarbonisation solutions looking to scale and corporates seeking to integrate technologies, products and services to deliver their net zero strategies.
Our Team
Peter Castellas
Founder & CEOThroughout Peter’s career he has worked at the leading edge of the climate change and sustainable development agenda and have advised, influenced, and guided key decision makers at the highest levels of business, finance and government. Peter is CEO of Climate Zeitgeist, a company he founded to work with key partners in finance and investment to accelerate meaningful action on change at scale. He is the Founder of the Climate Investor Forum - APAC’s premier climate finance and investment gathering.
Peter was previously CEO of Tasman Environmental Markets where he led the company to become one of the largest voluntary integrated carbon offset providers in the Asia Pacific. Previous roles include CEO of the Carbon Market Institute, where he led the organisation to be the peak business association for companies operating in the climate change and business interface. He was also a Director at Deloitte in Corporate Finance and Sustainability, Managing Director of Cleantech Australasia and the first Sustainability Advisor for the Commonwealth Bank. Peter graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Environmental Studies and the first class he taught over 30 years ago was on the Greenhouse Effect.
Project DirectorMichele Hartz
Michele Hartz is a strategist, entrepreneur and convenor working at the intersection of climate solutions and direct pathways for long term sustaianble outcomes
With close to two decades of experience in sustainability, market development and strategic advisory, Michele has worked with investors, governments, corporates and emerging climate technology companies - supporting organisations ranging from clean-tech startups to state governments, corporates and leading universities.
Michele, alongside Peter, is the driving force behind the Climate Investor Forum, which convenes investors, corporates, policymakers and innovators to connect capital with climate solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.
Her entrepreneurial journey began early. At 17, Michele launched her first recycling collection business in the United States, transporting materials interstate to some of the country’s earliest recycling facilities. In her twenties she moved to Australia and co-founded her second company, achieving $2 million in turnover within its second year with a team of three.
Michele has also contributed to a range of boards and committees supporting community development, sustainability and international collaboration, including the Women’s Association of South East Melbourne, Community of Practice through EIANZ, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and Greening The Desert.