On Friday, the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) deferred the vote to add the Great Barrier Reef to the “in danger” list until June 2022. The decision, which goes against the scientific assessment of the UN body, comes after intense lobbying by the Australian government.
The Reef attracts millions of tourists each year, supports more than 70,000 people, and generates billions in revenue for Australia. To avoid political embarrassment over the listing of the Reef, Australia’s Minister for Environment, Sussan Ley, travelled to at least a dozen countries, including Hungary, Spain, Oman, and the Maldives, to gather international support. Australia also won over Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, who urged the Committee to delay the decision on the Reef until 2023. Moreover, ambassadors from 21 countries that preside over the Committee were flown from Canberra to Queensland for a snorkelling trip to the Reef. After an intervention by Norway, the Committee decided to reconsider the Reef’s health at next year’s meeting.
Before Friday’s announcement, Ley spoke to the United Nations panel of 21 countries and assured them of Canberra’s commitment to tackle climate change. Ley said, “Every Australian is heavily invested in the protection of our barrier reef. Our concern was always that UNESCO had sought an immediate ‘in danger listing’ without appropriate consultation, without a site visit and all the latest information, and it is clear that this process has concerned not only Australia but other nations as well.” Shortly after Ley’s virtual address, the Committee agreed to an amendment that requires Australia to produce a report on the Reef’s condition by February 2022 that would determine its classification.
Meanwhile, environmental groups have condemned the Committee’s decision and asked the Australian government, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to “dramatically lift their game” to protect the Reef. David Ritter, the Chief Executive Officer of Greenpeace Australia, said, “This is a victory for one of the most cynical lobbying efforts in recent history. It is not an achievement—it is a day of infamy for the Australian government.” Likewise, Environment Minister for New South Wales, Matt Kean, tweeted, “Political lobbying does not change the science #greatbarrierreef.” Dr Fanny Douvere, head of the marine programme at UNESCO, said, “The facts are the facts, and the science is the science. The Committee supported the science but did not support the ‘in danger’ listing.”
In June, the Committee suggested downgrading the Reef’s World Heritage status due to climate change and the loss of coral. The Reef has lost half its volume because of the rise in global sea temperatures and bleaching events. The proposal was criticised by the Australian government, which accused China of politically influencing the decision. However, China denied any involvement and instead asked the Australian government to respect the decision of UNESCO’s independent body.
News reports suggest that a monitoring committee is likely to visit the Reef soon to address the effects of climate change and ways to counter it.
UNESCO Defers Vote on Great Barrier Reef After Intense Lobbying by Australia
The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO postponed its decision to list the Great Barrier Reef in the endangered category until June 2022 after Australia amassed international support.
July 26, 2021
SOURCE: AP NEWS