This is the second national report card on Australia's environment and heritage. It uses a system of environmental indicators as tools to measure the nature and size of the country's environmental issues. Themes covered include the atmosphere, human settlements, biodiversity and land.

The main volume contains a 'synthesis' report in printed form, as well as seven detailed reports on a CD-ROM covering the themes of Atmosphere, Human Settlements, Biodiversity, Land, Natural and Cultural Heritage, Inland Water and Coasts and Oceans.