ACT
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.
Telstra Tower. Source: Matthew Sherren Photography
About the 2019 ACT State of the Environment report
The ACT State of the Environment Report 2019 was tabled in the ACT Legislative assembly on 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. The report covers the period July 2015 to June 2019.
This is the first ACT State of the Environment Report to begin 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.
Downloads
The full ACT State of the Environment Report 2019, summary report and individual chapters are available for download.
About the website
This website is produced by the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment. It provides the ACT community with accessible environmental information across a range of issues. Although the website currently presents data and information from the ACT State of the Environment Report 2019, the data and trends presented will be updated regularly to ensure the environmental information presented is timely and relevant.
Interactivity
This website provides a range of interactive features to enable users to interrogate data-based infographics such as graphs and maps. Interactivity options are indicated by the following symbol with explanatory text of how to use the interactive features.
Contributors
The data and information presented on this website are provided by ACT Government directorates, community groups, and academics.
The Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment would like to thank all contributors. Without their assistance, State of the Environment reporting would not be possible.
Resources
Explore all indicators, graphs, maps, infographics and case studies.
Explore the report
Recommendations
The 2019 ACT State of the Environment report provides 35 formal recommendations to assist the ACT Government to make strategic and practical decisions, and undertake specific actions to improve environmental outcomes.
Photo: Murrumbidgee River. Source: Ryan Colley
— Recommendation #16, TransportExplore incentives to increase the uptake of public transport, car and ride sharing options, and active travel, including cycling amongst women and girls.
— Recommendation #13, Climate changeInvestigate opportunities to increase carbon uptake and storage in natural ecosystems and urban environments.
Main findings
The main findings of the 2019 ACT State of the Environment report provide a summary of the current condition and trends for a range of natural and sustainability issues in the ACT.
Findings by theme:
1.5ºC increase in mean maximum temperatures since 1926
62% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 will be from transport
9x the area of the ACT is required to meet our ecological footprint
PM2.5 is the most serious air quality issue in the ACT
75% of ACT Government land is zoned for natural ecosystems and greenspace
52 species and 3 ecological communities are listed as threatened
70% of fish abundance in the Murrumbidgee River are invasive species
4x increase in Very High Fire Danger days from 2014 to 2019
The Nation’s Capital. Source: Matthew Sherren Photography
Indicator assessments
The 2019 ACT State of the Environment report assesses 26 indicators across 7 themes. The indicators address specific environmental issues for a range of natural and sustainability issues in the ACT.
Indicators by theme:
Gang-Gang Cockatoo. Source: Ryan Colley
Environmental
themes
Ngunnawal Country
This is the first time the ACT State of the Environment Report has begun with the consideration of Ngunnawal people’s issues and interests.
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Community leadership in sustainability and science
The value of community leadership in sustainability and citizen science initiatives is acknowledged and celebrated in a stand-alone chapter in the ACT State of the Environment Report 2019.
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Urban trees in the ACT – Nature in the city
Canberra’s urban forest is a public illustration of everyday nature conservation.
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Indicators, condition and trends
Assessing the current condition and trends for a range of natural and sustainability issues in the ACT.
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Government responses to environmental issues in the ACT
State of the Environment reports routinely examine government responses to environmental issues.
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1. Ngunnawal Country – the view looking south from Sammy’s Hill, north Canberra. Source: Brad Moggridge. 2. Parks and Conservation Service Rangers assist Parkcare volunteers. Source: ACT Parks and Conservation Service. 4. Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Source: Ryan Colley. 5. Hackathon working group. Source: OCSE.
Resources
List of indicators
Biodiversity
- B1. Threatened species and ecological communities
- B2. Extent and condition of conservation areas
- B3. Representation of threatened species and ecological communities in conservation areas
- B4. Extent and condition of native vegetation
- B5. Distribution and abundance of invasive terrestrial plants and animals
