Australia state of the environment 2021

Combining scientific, traditional and local knowledge, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have worked together to create this first holistic assessment of the state of Australia’s environment.

The report aims to help shape policy and action, influence behaviours, and assess our actions as stewards of the Australian environment.

Our environment is under extreme pressure. Read the report. Make an impact. Heal Country. Our future wellbeing and prosperity depend on it.

Beach at Cape Leveque with storm clouds rolling in

We have combined science, traditional and local knowledge to assess the health of our environment

It is vital we understand the impact of human pressures and how we can protect and manage our environment. This understanding is outlined in the Overview and in key findings for each chapter.

ExploreOverview

The general outlook for our environment is deteriorating

Pressures from climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and resource extraction can add together to increase impacts on the environment.

ExploreBiodiversity

ExploreInland water

ExploreLand

Koala clinging to a burnt tree in a bushfire swept forest.

Climate change is affecting every aspect of our environment

Temperatures, extreme events and fire risk are increasing, sea levels are rising, and rainfall patterns are changing across Australia.

ExploreClimate

ExploreExtreme events

Green Turtle swimming over a coral reef with sunburst overhead at Heron Island.

Immediate action with innovative management and collaboration can turn things around

Embracing our role as stewards of our land and seas we can work together to protect our future.

ExploreCoasts

ExploreMarine

ExploreAntarctica

Indigenous knowledge and connections to Country are vital for sustainability and healing Australia

Indigenous people have dealt with environmental change for millenia. Traditional knowing and seeing along with the principles of caring for Country are essential for meeting the environmental challenges of today and the future.

Working together, we can build resilient Country and people.

ExploreIndigenous

ExploreHeritage

Two figures overlooking a cityscape that has poor visibility

Environmental decline affects the wellbeing of all Australians

Our health, living standards, cultural and spiritual fulfilment, and connection to Country are all inextricably linked to our environment.

ExploreAir quality

ExploreUrban

Australia’s past is the key to a better future

The oldest continuing cultures in the world, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, know that �?if you take care of Country, it will take care of you’. By continuing to work together, we can heal Country and safeguard our future.

Narrated by Julie Tyson, a proud Meerooni woman of the Gurang people, also Ngugi Nunukal of Quandamooka nation and a descendant of the Kari people.

Explore all chapters in the report

Overview

The Overview chapter presents the overall health of every aspect of our environment – from our rivers and oceans to our land and urban areas. It also looks at how our environment is affecting the health and wellbeing of the Australian community and economy. Importantly, it identifies the areas of greatest need in our environment to help us protect, restore and manage our world.

Explore Overview

Air quality

The Air quality chapter examines the sources and management of our air pollutants. The past 5 years have shown us the potential extremes of air quality – from bushfire smoke to the reductions in traffic emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Air quality is a key part of our environment that affects our health and the health of species and ecosystems.

Explore Air quality

Antarctica

The Antarctica chapter looks at Australia’s Antarctic territory and station environments, along with the condition of the Antarctic region and Southern Ocean. Although distant from other continents, Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean have far-reaching effects on the rest of the globe because they are key drivers of Earth’s oceanic and atmospheric systems. 

Explore Antarctica

Biodiversity

The Biodiversity chapter presents a picture of the importance and health of Australia’s plants, animals, threatened species and ecosystems. Biodiversity is �?the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part’ (Convention on Biological Diversity Article 2). 

Twin Falls and Gorge by William Robinson

Explore Biodiversity

Climate

The Climate chapter looks at Australia’s current and future climate. Our climate and weather patterns have affected the shape of our landscapes, species and ecosystems, as well as where people live and how we manage the land and seas. Changes to the climate will profoundly affect our environment, along with our communities, economy, health and wellbeing.

Explore Climate

Coasts

The Coasts chapter explores where our land meets the sea. Australia boasts 33,000 km of coastline – the seventh largest of any nation. This coastline includes a diverse range of tropical, temperate and subantarctic ecosystems and a high number of species found nowhere else. Our coastline has been cared for by Saltwater Traditional Custodians for thousands of years.

Explore Coasts

Extreme events

The Extreme events chapter looks at the impact of extreme weather events on our environment. This chapter is new in the 2021 state of the environment report. It has been developed in response to the changing intensity and frequency of extreme events over the past 5 years. The chapter also looks at Indigenous fire management and how fire regimes are changing.

Explore Extreme events

Heritage

The Heritage chapter assesses Australia’s heritage sites, objects, protections and management. Our identity as Australians comes from our heritage, including our Indigenous, natural and historic heritage. Our heritage reveals and reinforces our origins, culture, personality, spirit and ingenuity. Heritage tells our story and creates a sense of place and connection for all Australians.

Explore Heritage

Indigenous

The Indigenous chapter explores connection to Country and stewardship of the land and seas of Australia. Indigenous peoples – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – have cared for Country over countless generations and continue to do so today. Indigenous peoples recognise that this relationship benefits both Country and people – strong Country, strong people.

Explore Indigenous

Inland water

The Inland water chapter explores the state of our rivers, creeks, lakes, wetlands and water storages, and how we are using our water. Healthy water is central to Indigenous life and Country. Australia is a land of �?drought and flooding rains’ – demonstrated clearly in recent years. Climate change will further challenge water security for our environment and communities.

Explore Inland water

Land

The Land chapter assesses the resources available in our land – the soil, water, vegetation, living organisms, ecosystems and landforms. They are essential to the health of our environment, and our use of land and its resources maintains our communities and way of life. Indigenous people have cared for Country for thousands of years, and continued stewardship is crucial.

Explore Land

Marine

The Marine chapter looks at the oceans and seas that surround Australia. The Australian marine estate is the third-largest marine jurisdiction in the world at 13.86 m² kilometres. As an island nation, Australia’s oceans and traditional marine estates are tied with our national identity and integral to our economy and way of life, especially the Traditional Owners of Sea Country.

Explore Marine

Urban

The Urban chapter explores the liveability, sustainability and resilience of our cities, towns and villages. Australia is one of the world’s most urbanised countries– more than 96% of our population live in urban areas. Their built and natural features, underpin the wellbeing of most Australians, including our Indigenous population. Meaningful and inclusive planning is vital.

Explore Urban

What is in the report

The state of the environment report is a comprehensive assessment of the health of every aspect of our environment. Written by independent experts, it analyses the best available evidence every 5 years to guide policy and action.

Each chapter has 5 key sections, as well as supporting information and material.

Find out the main messages of the report. Each chapter has 10 key points that summarise the findings of the chapter.

Where are we headed? Find out how our environment is tracking and how we are managing it. Also find out how that pathway will affect our prosperity and wellbeing.

What is the current state of the different environmental aspects? Explore the condition of Australian landscapes and ecosystems, from our air to our land, ocean, rivers and heritage.

How effective is our management of the environment? Understand environmental stewardship and how government, Traditional Owner, private, and not-for-profit groups protect our environment and minimise the impact of pressures.

What are the pressures on our environment? Identify the main drivers of these pressures and find out how they are affecting both environmental health and our own wellbeing.

Find out about the chapter authors and their approach to the report and assessments, the artwork appearing in the chapter, and any supplementary material available.

New in the report

Valuing traditional knowledge

Traditional Owners have lived in harmony with the Australian environment for thousands of years. This harmony is at the core of traditional knowledge and customs, sustaining a sense of place and wellbeing.

In 2021, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people have worked together to create the first holistic assessment of the current state of Australia’s environment. This recognises that Indigenous participation in management of land and sea is important to environmental outcomes. This is in line with the objects of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) – promoting a cooperative approach to environmental management.

For more information, go to Indigenous

Ntange Dreaming by Emily Kame Kngwarreye

Adding new chapters to the report

In 2021, we have added new chapters to the report:

Indigenous – We have brought together the voices of our Indigenous co-authors, leaders and communities we have engaged during SoE’s development. The Indigenous chapter tells the story of the deep connection between the environment and people, the challenges of Indigenous stewardship in caring for Country, and the benefits of learning from Australia’s Indigenous peoples.

Extreme events – The intensity and frequency of extreme weather and related events are changing. Understanding natural events such as cyclones, floods and bushfires, how they impact where we live and work, and their effect on ecosystems helps us to better manage these events in the future.

Climate – Our climate is changing. Australia’s climate continues to warm, largely driven by greenhouse gas emissions, bringing with it associated changes in climate systems. Climate change is a pressure across all aspects of the environment and amplifies the impacts of other pressures.

Australia State of the Environment Report