UNESCO’s draft decision (page 79) on the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage status makes clear Australia must do more to build the Reef’s resilience and protect it from climate change.
The UN agency’s decision, released today, means Australia must improve its emissions reduction ambition, implement stronger laws to protect trees in Reef catchments and ensure the timely removal of commercial gill nets from Reef waters by mid-2027.
UNESCO also asked Australia to return to the World Heritage Committee with a progress report in 2028. If the Australian and Queensland governments can’t demonstrate significant progress on implementing its recommendations, the Committee could place the Reef on its list of World Heritage sites ‘in Danger’.
“With a potential ‘super El Niño’ looming this summer, there’s never been a more urgent time to cut emissions and boost the resilience of the Reef,” said WWF-Australia’s Head of Oceans, Richard Leck.
“Our governments have a lot of work to do in the next two years to give the Reef the best chance of withstanding the pressures ahead.”
El Niño summers pose a grave threat to the health of the Reef. Higher than average ocean temperatures can cause heat stress for corals, which can lead to mass coral bleaching events.
“The Reef is resilient, but it needs our help as temperatures become more extreme,” said Mr Leck.
“Australia needs to rapidly reduce emissions to do its fair share to stabilise global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.”
Mr Leck said stopping pollution from flowing into the Reef is one of the most important ways to build its resilience.
“Tree clearing in catchments has sent millions of tonnes of sediment washing into Reef waters, which chokes corals and seagrass,” he said.
“This polluted run-off is also damaging the cultural heritage of Country and Sea Country that is deeply significant to Traditional Owners.
“Minister Watt introduced important tree clearing reforms to the EPBC Act last year, but the rubber needs to hit the road to ensure these reforms successfully protect forests and the Reef.”
