Australia’s environmental condition remained strong for the fourth consecutive year,
with a National Environmental Condition Score of 7.7 out of 10, slightly higher than the previous year. Most states improved, except South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.
The National Environmental Condition Score (ECS) rose by 0.6 points out of ten to reach 7.7 points, completing the first sequence of four above-average years since records started in 2000. ECS scores increased from 2023 in most states and territories, except South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. The greatest declines were in South Australia, from 6.7 to 3.8, and in Victoria, from 8.8 to 6.1. The greatest increase was in NSW, from 5.8 to 7.0. Conditions in WA improved from just below average to just above average.
The Environmental Condition Score is a score between 0 and 10 expressing condition relative to previous years. It is calculated as the average rankings of component scores (from top to bottom in the bar graph): inundation, streamflow (blue), vegetation growth, leaf area, soil protection, tree cover (green) and the number of hot days (orange).
Watch the 2024 report in-brief video
