Legislative arrangements for the management of public lands are relatively stable, notwithstanding periodic changes in institutional arrangements, such as changes to the names, roles and structures of government agencies with land management responsibilities.

Efforts by government, the business sector and the broader community to reduce GHG emissions are essential to minimise the degree of climate change and associated consequences.

Australia's formal environment protection system is broadly charged with the responsibility to deliver protection of the environment while providing for the ongoing development of the wealth and wellbeing of our human communities.

The health of marine ecosystems has been assessed by examining the status and trends of the major physical and chemical processes that maintain the quality of the biodiversity and habitats in each region.

Overall, biodiversity in Australia’s marine regions is in good condition. However, biodiversity is very poor in some coastal places and areas on the continental shelf and upper slope, as a result of human activities.

Australia has large reserves of gas and significant reserves of oil, for which there is both a domestic and a global demand. 

​At least 80 introduced animal species have established populations on the Australian continent. 

Governments have a key role to play in mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, including:

Pollution is mentioned as a significant pressure in most jurisdictional SoE reports, especially in relation to coastal settlements and chemical run-off from farmland into rivers and the ocean. 

Human population growth is a potential cause of environmental change worldwide, including Australia, even without considering the impact of changes on living standards or resource use per capita.

​The drivers and pressures that threaten Australia's heritage do so in different ways, leading to different opportunities to prepare for future pressures or shocks.

Each land-use system entails some degree of clearing and fragmenting of native ecosystems, and grazing systems have the added impact of large introduced animals on landscapes and species.

Particular pressures on historic heritage include changing use and economic values. 

The Australian marine environment is experiencing a broad range of pressures that affect the quality of the habitats, species and environmental health.