- The IUCN has again graded the conservation status of the Great Barrier Reef as critical, the worst status available
- The conservation outlook has worsened for four of Australia's Natural World Heritage properties, including Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay
- Australian and Queensland governments must urgently do more – including closing land clearing loopholes – or risk the Great Barrier Reef being listed as World Heritage in Danger in 2026.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has warned that the Federal and Queensland governments are falling short on their duty to protect the Great Barrier Reef, after the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) again rated the Reef's outlook as "critical" – the worst possible status – in its new World Heritage Outlook report released last night at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
Climate change continues to be the greatest threat to the world's most treasured natural places. The number of World Heritage sites now threatened by climate change has climbed from 33% to 43% globally. The conservation status of Nyinggulu/Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay has been downgraded to "significant concern", due largely to climate change.The Great Barrier Reef remains the only global site to be listed again as "critical" while not being added to the World Heritage in Danger list.
AMCS Great Barrier Reef Campaigns Manager Dr Lissa Schindler said:
"The Albanese government has had five years to improve the conservation status of the Great Barrier Reef, yet has failed. Now we see the conservation status of two more Australian marine World Heritage sites – Ningaloo and Shark Bay – has been downgraded, largely due to climate impacts.
"Climate change remains the greatest threat to World Heritage listed coral reefs, yet the Albanese government's emissions reduction target of 62-70% by 2035 is on track with global warming of over 2°C, which will likely lead to the loss of 99% of the world's coral reefs. Domestic greenhouse gas emissions remain too high and new fossil fuel projects continue to be approved, such as the massively polluting North West Shelf extension off Western Australia. The Albanese government needs to urgently get Australia on track to do what's needed to give the Great Barrier Reef and all our coral reefs the best chance of survival.
"The World Heritage Committee has given the Albanese government multiple opportunities to tackle threats to the Great Barrier Reef. Water pollution and unsustainable fishing practices continue to be of serious concern to the World Heritage Committee and have again been highlighted in this report.
"One of the major drivers of poor water quality is large-scale deforestation in Reef catchments. When trees are cleared, especially along rivers and creeks, the resulting soil erosion worsens water pollution. Sediment washes into the Reef lagoon, smothering corals and seagrasses that threatened marine life such as dugongs and sea turtles need to survive.
"Queensland government data shows that 147,000 hectares of trees were cleared in Reef catchments in a single year – an area larger than the entire Brisbane City Council region. This high level of clearing undermines the Queensland and Federal governments' investment efforts into reducing sediment runoff."
"The World Heritage Committee will review the management of the Reef next year. With little progress made over the past two years on tackling threats to the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland now walking back on climate commitments, there is a high chance the Great Barrier Reef could be added to the World Heritage in Danger list. Strengthening Australia's environment laws to close glaring loopholes and stop deforestation in Reef catchments this year is one of the last opportunities for the government to show the World Heritage Committee it is serious about protecting the Reef.
"The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its worst summer on record – hit by cyclones, severe flooding, and its sixth mass bleaching event in nine years. Unless the Albanese government increases its ambition, action and commitments, an 'in Danger' listing for the World Heritage property is inevitable."
