Assessments

The great majority of Australia’s ecosystems and threatened species are impacted by multiple pressures, which often accumulate and amplify each other. Despite awareness of the importance of cumulative pressures, management actions often target a single pressure, resulting in declines in threatened species populations and loss of important habitats.
Assessments of impact are high
Assessments of trend are deteriorating
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 11.3, 11.b, 12.2

Australia is signatory to many international agreements, which are reflected in legislation and programs. Implementation of our obligations can be effective, although in some areas the rate of progress is inadequate. A recent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 found that the Act and its implementation were insufficient to protect our environmental values. The legal framework in Australia for Indigenous rights and heritage is regarded as inadequate to fulfil our obligations to care for Country.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from partially effective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to improving
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 6.4, 6.5, 8.4, 8.9, 11.4, 11.6, 12.2, 12.4, 13.1, 14.2, 14.5, 14.b, 15.1, 15.7

Several environmental management approaches are in place or under development in Australia, including integrated management, Indigenous management and co-management. Progress on these approaches varies, and is made more effective by engagement with local and Indigenous communities and stewardship groups.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from partially effective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to improving
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 6.b, 7.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.6, 11.a, 11.b, 12.2, 12.4, 12.8, 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 15.1, 15.5, 15.6

Management of sectors and resources varies widely. Restoration programs, species protection and protected areas are all contributing to effective management, although targets in many areas are not being met. Management actions are taking place but have not been able to change the negative trajectories of many threatened species. The protected area estate is growing in size, although recent years have seen more focus on lower protection levels.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from ineffective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to improving
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 2.3, 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 7.2, 8.4, 8.9, 11.4, 11.a, 12.2, 14.5, 14.6, 14.b, 15.1, 15.5, 15.6

Management of specific pressures varies, resulting in a range of ongoing impacts from low to very high, with trends that are generally deteriorating. Various initiatives, including emissions reduction, climate change adaptation, invasive species control and pollution reduction, are in place to target improvements in coming years; however, in general, more needs to be done to stabilise and improve the state of the environment.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from ineffective to effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to stable
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 11.3, 11.6, 11.b, 12.4, 13.1, 13.2, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 15.3, 15.7

Resources available for environmental management are generally insufficient to arrest ecosystem declines. The level of funding, and the quantity, quality and consistency of data, in particular, need improvement. Accountability, coordination between agencies and levels of government, Indigenous involvement, and skills (e.g. taxonomy) also need to be improved. Citizen science and the development of new technologies are important enablers of environmental management.
Assessments of management effectiveness range from ineffective to partially effective
Assessments of trend range from deteriorating to unclear
Related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal targets 11.3, 11.4, 15.5, 15.a, 17.16