The Environmental Report (IA) is an instrument prepared by the national or regional office in charge of controlling and supervising the environmental conditions of its area of ​​influence. Since the 1970s, Environmental Reports have been evolving in search of being more objective, precise and reliable in the evaluation of the condition of the environment, and in facilitating their reading and interpretation by all sectors of society.[1][note 1]​.

Several environmental indicators are defined, such as measurable variables, directly or indirectly, that allow us to reflect or imply the condition (quantitative or qualitative) of natural resources or the quality of the environment.

The periodic preparation of IAs through the indicator system is intended to meet the following purposes:

In general, environmental reports use indicators in the following areas: water, soil, air, energy, natural systems and noise.