Defence recognises that effective environmental management is an important part of successfully undertaking Defence activities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability and the Defence estate.

Defence understands its responsibilities in environmental management and is committed to complying with Commonwealth environmental legislation and regulations such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

In December 2005, the Secretary for the Department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force re-endorsed the Defence Environmental Policy. The Policy demonstrates Defence's strong commitment to managing and improving its environmental performance through an EMS approach and communicates a clear environmental vision that states:

The Defence Environmental Policy is implemented through the Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 2006-2009 .

This website aims to promote our environmental and heritage vision: ‘Defence will be a leader in sustainable environmental management to support the ADF's capability to defend Australia and its national interests’.