Australia’s Environment: Signs of Hope, but a Long Road Ahead
The latest Australia’s Environment Report, led by the Australian National University (ANU) 1, presents a mixed picture—while some environmental indicators improved in 2024, the nation remains under significant ecological strain. Record-breaking heat, widespread coral bleaching, and ongoing biodiversity loss are stark reminders that short-term gains do not equate to long-term stability.
For investors, policymakers, and individuals concerned with sustainability, the report highlights the urgency of continued action to protect Australia’s ecosystems. The question remains: are we making real progress, or are we just riding the highs of temporary climate conditions?
A Year of Extremes
The 2024 environmental condition score (ECS) for Australia was 7.7 out of 10, marking the fourth consecutive year of above-average conditions. This reflects strong rainfall, healthy vegetation growth, and below-average fire activity. However, not all states benefited. South Australia experienced its driest year since 2000, scoring just 3.8 out of 10, the lowest in the country.
Meanwhile, Australia’s annual average temperature in 2024 was the second highest on record, beaten only by the devastating heat of 2019. The mean sea surface temperature around Australia hit an all-time high, contributing to the fifth mass coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef in less than a decade. Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef also suffered severe bleaching.
The country saw an 18% increase in national rainfall compared to historical averages. This helped vegetation thrive, but also led to major floods in parts of Northern Australia and Queensland.
Despite the boost in vegetation health, snow cover fell to its lowest level since 2018, and the number of days exceeding 35°C increased. Australia’s exposure to extreme weather events remains one of the biggest risks to long-term environmental recovery.
Biodiversity in Decline
The Threatened Species Index continues to paint a grim picture of Australia’s biodiversity. Since 2000, the abundance of threatened birds, mammals, plants, and frogs has declined by an average of 58%
While there were 41 new additions to the threatened species list in 2024, this was a notable drop from the record 130 additions in 2023. However, this number is still well above the long-term average of 25 species per year
Among the most alarming findings is that 50% of newly listed species were directly impacted by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20. These fires left a lasting legacy, pushing many species closer to extinction
Despite these challenges, there is a small glimmer of hope—for the first time in years, the rate of biodiversity decline may be stabilising, with some species showing early signs of recovery. However, researchers caution that long-term monitoring is essential to confirm whether this is a real turnaround or a short-term fluctuation
Australia’s Carbon Problem
While global greenhouse gas emissions accelerated at a record pace in 2024, Australia’s per capita emissions remain among the highest in the world. In fact, Australians emit 3.3 times more carbon per person than the global average
There was some minor progress, with total greenhouse gas emissions dropping by 0.6% compared to the previous year. However, emissions from transport, waste, and fugitive gases increased, offsetting gains in other sectors
For Australia to meaningfully cut its emissions, the report stresses the need for stronger investment in renewable energy, stricter land management policies, and greater conservation efforts. Without these, the underlying environmental degradation will continue
The Role of Land and Water
One of the more positive takeaways from the report is the continued improvement in soil and vegetation conditions. Soil health has benefited from above-average rainfall, and tree canopy cover increased by 5%—marking the fourth straight year of improvement
However, this does not mean deforestation has stopped. Habitat destruction for agriculture, mining, and urban development remains a major concern, especially along the east coast
Water storage levels varied across the country. While supplies remained high for Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, Adelaide’s water storage dropped from 67% to 45%. Meanwhile, the Murray-Darling Basin’s reservoirs fell for a second year in a row, highlighting continued risks to agricultural water security
The Bottom Line
Australia’s environment has improved in the short term, but the underlying threats remain unresolved. The record-breaking temperatures, coral bleaching, and species decline in 2024 show that favourable weather conditions alone are not enough to secure long-term ecological stability.
The report makes it clear: action is needed now. Without strong investment in renewables, tougher land-use policies, and long-term conservation efforts, Australia will continue to fluctuate between good years and ecological disasters.
If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that nature can bounce back—but only if we give it the chance.
Resources
1 Australian National University. “Australia’s Environment 2024 Report”, 20 March 2025 https://ausenv.tern.org.au/aer.html
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