The State of the Environment(SoE) refers to the prevailing conditions of the region from two perspectives: bio-physical and socio-economic conditions and trends. Ideally an SoE reporting system will seek to address: emerging issues in the region; present environmental status and trends; existing policy responses at national, sub-regional, and regional level; the future perspectives based on the past and present trends of different development patterns; and recommended policy action. SoE reporting will target grass-root (i.e. layman/common public) to high-level decision makers. Most SoE reports in the region have been mostly qualitative in nature. The empirical base to support quantitative SoE reporting is weak.

UNEP RRC.AP hopes to establish a strong quantitative base and framework for environmental assessment and policy decision making in the region. Through partnerships with sub-regional intergovernmental organizations, numerous actvitivies have been undertaken to assist the nations of the region in establishing quantitative, regular SoE Reporting Systems. With National reporting as the base, RRC.AP has also substantially contributed to Sub-regional (ASEAN, GMS, SACEP, SPREP), Regional (the Asia Pacific Environment Outlook and ESCAP SoE) and Global(GEO)reports.