The Department designs and implements Australian Government policy and programs to protect and conserve the environment, water and heritage, promote climate action, and provide adequate, reliable and affordable energy.

The Department of the Environment and Energy Annual Report 2016–2017 has been prepared in accordance with the requirements for non-corporate Commonwealth entities’ annual reports prescribed by the 

Public Governance, Performance and

Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule).

It is a privilege for me to present the Department of the Environment and Energy 2016–17 Annual Report. Following my recent appointment as Secretary, I have been impressed by the complex and diverse set of issues managed by the Department. We invest and regulate to protect Australia’s environment and heritage, work with others in Australia, in Antarctica, in our region and internationally on environment and energy matters, and invest in the science and information needed to support evidence-based policy across the Department’s work. I would like to acknowledge my predecessor, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, who was Secretary of the Department for the last four years. It is evident from this report that he successfully led the Department in achieving significant outcomes in environment and energy policy.