Australia must do more to save the Great Barrier Reef, the country’s Climate Council warned on Tuesday.
The Australian government announced on Tuesday a draft report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as evidence of its action to protect the reef.
“The decision recognizes the increased actions Australia is taking to protect the reef and that we are meeting our commitments,” said the Australian Ministry for the Environment.
UNESCO has requested that Australia submit a report in 2025 with an update on its actions, the government said.
Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said the reef is part of Australia’s national heritage.
“We have a duty to protect it, care for it and pass it on, so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy it as we did,” Plibersek said.
The government was acting on climate change, improving local water quality, protecting marine life, dealing with invasive species and investing a record amount of money in reef programs, she said.
“We need to act on climate change. We need to protect our special places and the animals that live in them. And that’s precisely what we’re doing.”
However, the Climate Council said UNESCO has warned Australia to urgently increase its climate change targets to save the reef from imminent danger.
“Let’s be clear: this announcement is a red flag and for Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to claim a victory with this warning is misleading,” said Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie.
“The Great Barrier Reef has bleached five times in the last nine years and suffered its worst heat stress ever earlier this year, when more than 80% of the system’s reefs endured dangerous levels of unnatural warming,” she said.
“Each new coal and gas project adds damaging climate pollution to the atmosphere and further endangers the reef. The government must build on its clean energy plans by also planning to phase out fossil fuels.”
Described by UNESCO as a “place of remarkable variety and beauty”, the reef features around 400 types of coral, around 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of molluscs.
One of the world’s best-known tourist attractions, the reef is popular with snorkelers and divers, attracting around 2 million visitors a year.
