State of the Environment

The ACT’s 4-yearly State of the Environment reporting is a requirement of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment Act 1993.

The report provides the ACT community and Government with commentary and analysis about the condition of the environment and progress towards sustainability.

ACT State of the Environment Report 2019

The ACT State of the Environment Report 2019 was tabled in the ACT Legislative assembly on the 13 February 2020 by the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Shane Rattenbury.

Environmental assessments and formal recommendations are made, key actions are provided to assist with ongoing management, and data gaps and policy challenges are outlined.

This is the first ACT State of the Environment Report to start with a chapter on Indigenous people’s interests, reflecting the depth of Aboriginal people’s knowledge and commitment to caring for country. The 2019 report also discusses the extraordinary community commitment to the environment and citizen science in the ACT, and the benefits and challenges for Canberra’s urban forest.

The ACT State of the Environment Report 2019 can be viewed and downloaded below. We have also created an interactive website for a more engaging experience, as well as two websites for children and young people.

The Government Response to the ACT State of the Environment Report 2019 was tabled on 2 July 2020 and can be found here.

State of the Environment for Kids

Environment for Kids is a website for primary school aged students and includes content on four themes – climate change, urban trees, biodiversity, and waterways.

State of the Environment for Youth

Environment for Youth is a website for high school students. The website presents more comprehensive information across 10 themes with accompanying activities.

What were some of the standout findings and themes from our State of the Environment report? Check out the highlights in these four videos.

ACT State of the Environment 2019
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Summary
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Commissioner’s Foreword
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Executive Summary
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Recommendations
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Chapter 1: Context
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Chapter 2: Ngunnawal Country
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Chapter 3: Community Leadership
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Chapter 4: Urban Trees
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Chapter 5: Indicators, Condition and Trends
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Chapter 6: Government Responses

ACT State of the Environment 2019
ACT State of the Environment 2019 – Summary
ACT State of the Environment 2015
ACT State of the Environment 2011
ACT State of the Environment 2011 – Government Response
ACT State of the Environment Report 2007/08 – Factsheet for Schools
ACT State of the Environment Report 1997

Information about archived reports available on request.