Australia’s Forests Improve, Oceans Face Heat Stress

Australia’s national environment scorecard rated landscapes as “above average” for the fifth consecutive year. Good rainfall across much of the country drove fish breeding and waterbird arrivals. Queensland experienced its biggest floods in 15 years.

However, marine heatwaves and algal blooms devastated underwater ecosystems. Sea surface temperatures reached record highs in 2025, exceeding once-in-a-decade heat thresholds at 80% of monitored reef locations. A toxic algal bloom killed over 80,000 animals along South Australia’s coast.

National forest loss declined for five years. Land clearing for grazing and logging also decreased.

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.9% while the economy grew 2.6%. The number of threatened species increased 54% since 2000, with climate change a factor for 90% of new listings.