Sydney’s environment is defined by its spectacular natural harbor, extensive coastline, and surrounding bushland, though urban sprawl presents ongoing environmental challenges.
* **Air Quality:** Generally very good, though it can be temporarily impacted during the summer months by bushfire smoke or planned hazard reduction burns. * **Water Quality:** Tap water is highly filtered and safe to drink. Ocean water quality is monitored daily during warmer months by the state's *Beachwatch* program, with most ocean beaches rating "Good" to "Very Good" for swimming. * **Protected Areas:** Sydney is ringed by national parks. **Royal National Park** to the south is the second-oldest national park in the world. **Sydney Harbor National Park** protects vital foreshore, and the **Blue Mountains National Park** (a World Heritage site) lies to the west. * **Sustainability:** The City of Sydney (local council for the CBD) has strong sustainability targets, having been certified carbon neutral since 2011. The council aims for net-zero emissions across the entire local government area by 2035. * **Flora and Fauna:** The city is home to diverse urban wildlife, including possums, flying foxes (fruit bats), cockatoos, ibises, and a variety of marine life in the harbor, including occasional visits from whales and seals.