UNESCO Orders Full Review of Great Barrier Reef Conservation by Australia

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has ordered Australia to submit a comprehensive State of Conservation report by February 2026 to address severe threats to the Great Barrier Reef, including mass bleaching, coastal floods, and climate change impacts. If the report shows inadequate progress, the reef could be placed on the World Heritage 'In Danger' list, increasing pressure on Australian federal and Queensland governments to adopt stronger climate policies and improve water quality and reef management. Environmental groups urge Australia to cut climate pollution by 90% by 2035, end fossil fuel dependence, and halt new coal and gas projects, warning that rising global emissions continue to devastate the reef's coral cover. The Australian government describes the upcoming report as a routine obligation and highlights its current investments exceeding $1.2 billion in reef protection and carbon mitigation. However, critics argue that existing measures fall short, with calls to cancel controversial projects like the North West Shelf gas plant extension. The 2026 review will be a critical test of Australia’s commitment to protecting the reef, which supports thousands of species and millions of livelihoods.