Addressing environmental decline requires international cooperation.
Australia is one of 17 megadiverse countries. We are an island nation with the world's third largest marine jurisdiction. We are the driest of all inhabited continents and home to the oldest continuing culture on Earth.
Nature underpins our economy, climate, culture, health and wellbeing. We must protect and restore the natural environment for generations to come. Our natural environment is in decline in Australia and globally. The main drivers of decline are:
- climate change
- natural resource use and extraction
- changing use of sea and land
- invasive species
- pollution.
We engage in a range of international agreements and bodies to:
- address the drivers of environmental decline
- protect and promote our national interests
- meet our international obligations
- share our experience and expertise and learn from others
- support partners in our region.
Read the Ministerial statement on international environmental leadership
