The State of the Environment 2023 report marks the first time that a comprehensive scientific baseline analysis on Victoria’s environment has been carried forward and re-evaluated in consecutive Victorian state of the environment reports. This continuity and maturation of state of the environment reporting in Victoria is enabling a systemic shift from reporting on ‘what we know’ to ‘what we need to know’.

The report includes 171 trend assessments of the 139 indicators and reports that 33 are improving, 34 are stable, 60 are deteriorating and 44 are unclear.

The report is presented in three parts and includes 15 recommendations that are informed by the analyses presented in Parts 2 and 3 of the report. Part 1 summarises all findings and recommendations.

Part 2 includes an analysis of the application of space and spatial technologies for better understanding and responses to biodiversity decline and other environmental challenges. Part 2 also delivers on the Commissioner's commitment to apply international frameworks – specifically the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and System of Environmental Economic Accounting – to advance future state of environment reporting.

Part 3 presents a detailed analysis of the 139 indicator assessments – the science that underpins this report card on the health of Victoria’s natural environment.