James Sippo

Dr James Sippo is an environmental scientist and a local to the Northern Rivers region of Australia. Over the past decade Dr Sippo has focused his research on coastal ecosystems, estuaries and rivers, investigating the impacts of climate extreme events: droughts, floods and sea level changes. Following the devastating floods in Lismore, Dr Sippo’s work has taken on new focus. His current work investigates the potential of reducing flood heights using natural measures, which could simultaneously improve river water quality. The work has a focus on the heavily degraded Richmond River, which is the largest river within the Byron Shire.

Dr Sippo works with multiple stakeholders and aims to promote sustainable land use practices in the catchment, including the involvement of First Nations people. Through a desire to instigate change, Dr Sippo develops carbon credit methodologies and other financial investment frameworks for natural capital. In 2022 he worked on the development of a carbon credit method for coastal wetlands for the Federal Government.

His current work includes a range of carbon, biodiversity and nutrient budgets, aiming at improving the health of estuarine and riverine ecosystems.