4603.0 - Environment Protection Expenditure, Australia, 1995-96 and 1996-97  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/07/1999   
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MEDIA RELEASE

July 02, 1999
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
80/1999

$8.6 billion spent to protect the environment

Australian governments, industry and households spent an estimated $8.6 billion in 1996-97 on various measures to protect the environment, according to a report released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This represented 1.6% of GDP, an amount consistent with that spent to protect Australia's environment in 1995-96.

Waste water management and waste management activities accounted for well over half of total expenditure for environment protection measures in 1996-97 ($5.5b). Forty-three per cent ($1.5b) of total expenditure by the corporate sector on environment protection measures in 1996-97 ($3.4b) was for waste management activities. Manufacturing and service industries combined contributed the most to these waste management expenses ($1.3b).

Protection of the environment by Australian households was estimated to be $2.6b in 1996-97, comprising mostly waste water services ($1.7b). This amount represented almost 60% of total expenditure by all sectors on waste water management and water protection activities.

General government expenditure to protect the environment amounted to $2.6b in 1996-97. This sector was largely responsible for measures aimed at the protection of biodiversity and landscape, spending $1.2b out of a total of $1.5b by all sectors for these activities in 1996-97. Activities include programs related to flora and fauna conservation, controls on land clearing and protection of world heritage properties.

Other measures to protect the environment include those aimed at air and climate protection, soil and groundwater protection. Expenditure on these and other measures by industries, governments and households are also included in the report Environment Protection Expenditure, Australia, 1995-96 and 1996-97 (Cat. No. 4603.0). Included also are revised figures for 1995-96, previously published.

A summary of the main findings are available on this site. The ABS encourages media organisations with online news services to link to the main findings. Please phone us if you need assistance to do this.