This seventh biennial 'State of the climate' report draws on the latest national and international climate research, encompassing observations, analyses and future projections to describe year-to-year variability and longer-term changes in Australia’s climate.

In December 2021, the Queensland Government’s Statewide Land and Tree Study (SLATS) released the most recent detections of forest and woodland destruction for 2018-19 using a new and more accurate methodology. This report analyses the 2018-19 SLATS data to quantify destruction of forested habitats for...

This working paper explores the question: what is environmental degradation and what are its causes? The paper is aimed at providing a quick overview of the debates, helping to inform discussions about environmental restoration and protection.

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

Since 2016, The Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI) has led a strong collaboration of senior stakeholders from industry, government, regulators and the science community, to build a data sharing and access culture. This document highlights the digital journey and the achievements that are helping...

This plan maps out actions to reduce groundwater use in Perth in response to climate change, and is based on extensive consultation, modelling and research. Reducing groundwater abstraction will have long-term benefits for water users and will help protect important wetlands and native bushland, making...

This triennial report synthesises the evidence base on the state of the environment contained in domain reports since 'Environment Aotearoa 2019'. The report does not suggest any response, as it is out of scope under the report’s governing legislation.

This report calls for Australia to lift its ambition in five key areas, by championing a strong post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and by demonstrating how the commitments under the framework will be implemented domestically.

Large fossil fuel projects, such as coal mines and gas fields, are some of Australia’s largest individual greenhouse gas emitters. The researchers working on this project found that one in three fossil fuel projects are emitting more than estimated during the approval phase.

This report describes the status and trends in the quality of the New South Wales natural environment and implications for environmental and human health.

The NSW Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting is currently considering the future of how overland flow water in the NSW Murray Darling Basin will be managed and regulated. This briefing note highlights six clear reasons why floodplain harvesting should be limited to the legal volumetric...

Victoria’s ecosystems are currently facing serious decline. Population growth and spread has put pressure on ecosystems, which has led to the degradation and loss of many native species and habitats. The Committee has used both the submissions and the evidence given at public hearings, as...

This survey report finds that biological diversity was the most highly valued aspect of WA’s south-west native forests, followed by habitat provision for threatened species and communities and a provision of ecosystem services. Furthermore, old growth forest areas, followed by threatened species and communities and...

This audit examines how well the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is acquitting its responsibilities under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and in Protecting Victoria’s Environment—Biodiversity 2037 to better protect threatened species.

This web page outlines how the Liberal Party intends to protect Australia's natural environment.

The document sets out the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment's approach to delivering better practice regulation, and a framework to support an improved regulatory capability and culture for the organisation. It will help to strengthen the department’s regulatory functions and achieve regulatory...

The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s (VEAC) Assessment of Victoria’s Coastal Reserves final report was tabled in Parliament on 18 June 2020. This is the Victorian government’s response, as required by section 26G of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001.

This article describes the challenges but also the rewards to industry, the community and the environment when a 'problem-centric' approach to regulation, rather than process-driven or function-driven regulation, is adopted by Australian regulators.

The Overseer is a model that aims to estimate farm-scale nutrient flows. This document reviews the Overseer model. This is necessary to assess whether it can confidently be used as a decision support tool.

Exploring opportunities for the regulatory system to increase the adoption of clean technology and to enhance innovation and competitiveness, this regulatory roadmap lays out plans to advance regulatory modernisation in support of economic growth and innovation in Canada.

This report provides expert advice to the World Heritage Committee on the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef including recommendations to mitigate climate change and fishing impacts and to meet time-bound water quality targets.

Australia spends billions of dollars on social programmes, which will be wasted if we run out of drinkable water. This report argues that groundwater is a key part of the overall system and needs to be studied deeply to properly manage a sustainable future for...

Victoria’s water resources are under pressure from increasing demand and decreasing supply. This research report examines how the climate has and will continue to change, and the impacts on Victoria’s water resources, allowing better preparation for the future.

This report finds that a number of sacred Indigenous sites, and an important river system in the Northern Territory, face irreversible cultural and ecological damage if the McArthur River Mine operations continue unabated. The authors argue that the independent monitoring system set up to protect...

This publication reveals that an increase in refused freedom of information (FOI) requests, more redactions, higher charges and longer delays are all plaguing Australia’s system of access to government documents.