UN warns Great Barrier Reef headed for “in danger” list, orders 2026 review

The Great Barrier Reef’s world heritage status is under pressure as the United Nations committee orders a full report on efforts to protect the marine wonder.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt is in Paris for the World Heritage Committee’s 47th session where the committee adopted a draft decision from UNESCO released in May.

It recognises sustained action Australia has taken to protect the reef and delivering on past commitments. 

The decision also requests Australia provide a state of conservation report by February, a more comprehensive review than the progress reports it has been asked to produce in recent years. 

Should progress on protecting the world heritage site be deemed inadequate following the state of conservation report, it could be recommended for inscription on the ‘In Danger’ list in 2026.

“The full review in 2026 will be a critical test,” said Dr Lissa Schindler from the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

Climate change remains the biggest threat to the complex ecosystem and the driver of repeat mass coral bleaching events.

Land-based runoff from nearby towns, industry and agriculture can further damage the marine landscape, including by contributing to outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.

Coastal flooding following natural disasters in Queensland’s north have also been exacerbating water quality problems.

Flooding impacted more than 700km of the reef.

A federal government spokesperson said “state of conservation” reports were routine under Australia’s world heritage obligations and the nation had produced the comprehensive reviews in both 2019 and 2022.

“Australia is doing more than ever to better manage and protect the reef, including providing unprecedented levels of investment to protect its outstanding universal value,” the spokesperson said. 

Dr Schindler said both federal and state governments could be doing more to protect the reef from deforestation along the coastline and meeting existing water quality targets.

Australia also has an opportunity to ramp up its climate ambition, conservation groups argue, with all countries due to submit new 2035 emissions targets under the global climate pact by September.

“If Australia wants to protect the reef and keep it off the World Heritage in danger list, then the number one thing it must do is adopt reef-safe climate policies,” Dr Schindler said.

“That means cutting climate pollution by 90 per cent by 2035 and stopping approvals for new fossil fuel projects.”

World Wide Fund for Nature Australia chief executive officer Dermot O’Gorman said Australia has an opportunity to set a climate target that would give the reef a “fighting chance”. 

“A strong 2035 target would help protect the reef, the industries that depend on it, and thousands of years of priceless Traditional Owner cultural heritage,” he said. 

The federal government spokesperson said cutting greenhouse gas emissions required international effort.

“Climate change is the biggest threat to reefs worldwide, including the Great Barrier Reef, and this threat requires urgent global action.”

Source: AAP