Making Orlando Sustainable with Chris Castro

Chris is currently the Director of Sustainability for Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando, developing policies and programs to support the sustainability, energy & climate-related goals of the Green Works Orlando municipal and community action plans.

He is an eco-entrepreneur, community organizer, urban farmer, and sustainability professional with a passion for accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy. In 2008, Chris co-founded IDEAS For Us, an international 501c3 nonprofit & UN-accredited NGO, building a global community of leaders working to advance local environmental solutions to global challenges. In 2012, Chris also partnered with professionals to create a clean energy consulting firm - Citizen Energy - that is providing energy services and implementation of energy efficiency + renewable energy solutions in commercial buildings in Washington DC Metro area.

Chris has held sustainability & energy-related positions with University of Central Florida, Orange County Government, and the US Department of Energy. He's been awarded a Delegate for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Clinton Global Initiative, selected as a 'Global Shaper'​ by the World Economic Forum, and is the co-founder and chairman of Florida Green Chamber of Commerce (FGCC), the first state-wide business chamber aimed at creating environmentally-friendly, sustainable business practices & policies.

In addition, Chris is a public speaker and has been recognized for his effort as a emerging environmental leader; including the prestigious IAMECO Warrior designation, formal recognition from President Bill Clinton, and ‘Champions of Change' honorable mention from the White House & Obama Administration. Most recently, Chris gave an inspiring TEDx Talk in October 2012 on Biomimicry; he spoken at the United Nations HQ & the UN Rio+20 Summit; and was a keynote speaker at the 2013 NASA KSC Innovation Expo, and 2013 International Economics Congress in Berlin, Germany.