‘Under serious threat’ but no downgrade for Queensland tourist hotspot

The Great Barrier Reef has officially avoided a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list of sites in danger, even as it continues to be ravaged by climate change.

During the 2023-24 summer, the largest planetary living structure experienced its fifth mass bleaching event in eight years, which affected 74 per cent of the reef.

The World Heritage Committee on Thursday night accepted a draft set of recommendations to leave the reef off its in-danger list for the third year in a row.

The Great Barrier Reef from the air.Credit: iStock

It noted a “step change” in Australia’s climate change and marine management approaches, but urged the government to do more.

“It is clear that the property remains under serious threat,” the committee’s decision read.

“Urgent and sustained action is of utmost priority in order to improve the resilience of the property in a rapidly changing climate.”

The World Heritage Committee welcomed a government program to restore gullies and commended efforts to phase out destructive gillnet fishing.

However, it is unclear whether the reef will meet water quality targets as there are still significant rates of native vegetation clearing in reef catchment areas.

Reductions in both sediment and dissolved inorganic nitrogen are also needed to improve water quality.

The government has legislated targets to reduce carbon emissions by 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.

But the committee says Australia should set more ambitious targets to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, as even this increase could cause coral reefs to decline by 70 to 90 per cent according to a 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The federal and Queensland governments have welcomed the decision, but Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said they had a responsibility to take further action.

“The Great Barrier Reef is part our national heritage, we have a duty to safeguard it, to care for it, and to pass it on, so our kids and grandkids can enjoy it like we do.”

“We also know the world is watching us.”

“We need to act on climate change, we need to protect our special places and the animals that call them home and that is precisely what we are doing.”

The committee’s decision presents a vital opportunity to make urgent changes, Australian Marine Conservation Society campaign manager Lissa Schindler said.

“The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its worst summer on record, facing cyclones, severe flooding, crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and its fifth mass bleaching event in the last eight years,” Dr Schindler said

“Yet the Australian government has not strengthened its commitments to cutting greenhouse gas pollution nor delivered the promised full reform of our national environmental laws.

“Australia must increase its ambition, action and commitments to protect the Great Barrier Reef, or an ‘in danger’ listing is inevitable.”

Australia must report back on its progress by 2025.

AAP