The Australian government has welcomed the draft decision from UNESCO not to list the Great Barrier Reef “in danger.” While a UNESCO heritage committee on August 1 stopped short of listing the reef in its danger list, it warned that the world’s biggest coral reef ecosystem remains under “serious threat” from pollution and the warming of oceans.
The Great Barrier Reef contributes about A$6 billion ($4 billion) to the Australian economy and supports 64,000 jobs. Australia has been lobbying for years to keep the reef off the endangered list, as it could lead to losing the heritage status, affecting the number of tourists.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November said the reef should be put on the danger list after frequent coral bleaching events. However, in its latest report, the panel noted the commitments and initial actions by the Australian government to preserve the reef.
The Australian government has pledged A$1.2 billion to protect the reef, withdrawn federal funding for dams, and denied permission for a coal mine that it said could have affected the reef’s water quality.
The UN panel has asked the government to submit a progress report by February 2024.
