We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the sovereign Traditional Owners of Australia and thank them for their stewardship of this Country, its lands, waters and skies. We respectfully acknowledge their culture and customary practices, and pay respect to their Ancestors, Elders and future leaders.

For the first time, the State of the Environment report includes a strong Indigenous narrative across all 12 thematic chapters, a narrative crafted through recognising the leadership, collaboration and authorship of Indigenous Australians who continue their connection as Traditional Owners to their lands, waters and skies.

Click to view the State of the Environment report

On 28 March 2025 the government assumed a Caretaker role. Information on websites maintained by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the conclusion of the caretaker period.

Due to technical issues, graphs, maps and tables are currently not displaying within the main content, however, are available via the chapter resources navigation bar. We are working on a solution to resolve the issue.

References

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Ebi KL, Bowne KJ, Calkins J, Chen M, Huq S, Nalau J, Palutikof JP & Rosenzweig C (2021). Interactions between two existential threats: COVID-19 and climate change. Climate Risk Management 34:100363.

EJA (Environmental Justice Australia) (2021). Traditional Owners could achieve water justice in the Murray–Darling Basin for the first time, if government delivers on cultural flows, EJA, Melbourne, https://www.envirojustice.org.au/traditional-owners-could-achieve-water-justice-in-the-murray-darling-basin-for-the-first-time-if-government-delivers-on-cultural-flow/.

EPA SA (Environment Protection Authority South Australia) (2021). Innovate reconciliation action plan: January 2021–December 2022, EPA SA, Adelaide.

EPSDD (Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate) (2020). Canberra nature park draft reserve management plan, ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra.

Expert Working Group (Expert Working Group on Indigenous Engagement with Science) (2013). Indigenous engagement with science: towards deeper understandings, Inspiring Australia, Department of Innovation, Industry, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, Canberra.