Social and economic research

Department of Planning and Environment engages and partners with the community and conducts a wide range of social and economic research, analysis and evaluation.

Our social and economic research, analysis and evaluation includes:

  • economic analysis of environmental protection, natural resource management, biodiversity, pollution and waste activities
  • community attitudes to the environment
  • human behaviours and trends around climate change
  • how people feel about our built and cultural heritage.

Natural capital

The NSW Natural Capital Statement of Intent: Recognising the value of nature outlines the NSW Government’s commitment to understanding nature as an asset that provides a flow of essential services.

Read more about how we plan to reflect the importance of the environment to the health of our communities and economies in our policies and programs on our Natural capital page.

Community research and monitoring partnerships

Our research and monitoring partnerships with the community through programs such as Saving our Species and Citizen Science make an enormous contribution to the preservation of the natural, cultural and built environment and history of NSW

Visit Saving our Species and Citizen science to see how you can get involved.

Other social and economic research projects

From 1994 to 2015, the Department of Planning and Environment conducted a survey every three years of the NSW community and discussion groups to track trends in the public’s environmental views, priorities, knowledge and actions.

View full legacy reports of the Who Cares about the Environment social research series.

We undertake analysis across a range of activities relating to environmental protection, natural resource management, biodiversity, pollution and waste. This analysis helps the development of better environmental policy for NSW.

View Economic analysis and research.

Our national parks make a significant contribution to the health and spiritual wellbeing of the community, the economies of regions surrounding parks and the preservation of wildlife and habitat.

We conduct surveys, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis of:

  • Visitation rates
  • The benefits of outdoor recreation
  • Multimedia and traditional park activities

Visit Social research.