- UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has ordered a full review of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef management in 2026, following the sixth mass bleaching event in nine years and severe coastal flooding.
- Australia must submit a full State of Conservation report, outlining progress on tackling threats.
- UNESCO flagged four key areas where Australia is falling short: cutting climate pollution, improving water quality, preparing for climate-driven disasters like mass bleaching and ensuring fisheries are managed sustainably.
- If progress is deemed inadequate, the Reef could be recommended for inscription on the World Heritage In Danger list in 2026.
The World Heritage Committee at its 47th session in Paris passed a decision to undertake a full review of Australia’s management of the Great Barrier Reef in 2026, showing that current efforts are not enough to protect this global icon.
The decision follows this year’s sixth mass coral bleaching event in just nine years, and devastating flooding that impacted more than 700 kilometres of the Reef. The Committee remains concerned about Australia’s lack of progress in tackling the Reef’s most serious threats: climate change, poor water quality, deforestation, and unsustainable fisheries.
Australia has been asked to submit a full State of Conservation report to the World Heritage Committee by February 2026, outlining its progress in implementing the recommendations of the 2022 UNESCO-IUCN Reactive Monitoring Mission. If progress is deemed insufficient, the Great Barrier Reef could be recommended for inclusion on the World Heritage In Danger list.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society Great Barrier Reef Campaign Manager, Dr Lissa Schindler said: “This decision says that the world is still deeply concerned about the Great Barrier Reef. While there has been some progress, Australia’s efforts still fall short of what’s needed to protect this globally significant natural wonder.
“We still don’t have a clear pathway to meet water quality targets, Queensland’s climate ambition looks set to be pared back despite climate threats to the Reef intensifying, and there has been no clear progress on reducing deforestation along the coastline, which is contributing to water pollution. The full review in 2026 will be a critical test.
“If Australia wants to protect the Reef and keep it off the World Heritage in danger list, then the number one thing it must do is adopt reef-safe climate policies. That means cutting climate pollution by 90 percent by 2035 and stopping approvals for new fossil fuel projects. Without tackling the root cause of the problem, the Reef’s long-term health and resilience are seriously jeopardised.”
Tackling local threats like unsustainable fishing and water pollution is also essential to boosting the Reef’s resilience. Extractive industries such as the wild harvest of coral for aquariums continue to operate despite growing concern over their impact. At the same time, water pollution remains a major threat with this summer’s floods sending contaminants more than 100 kilometres offshore, adding pressure to coral and seagrass already stressed by marine heatwaves.
Dr Schindler said: “The Australian and Queensland Governments have set targets to cut pollution entering the Reef, but progress has been so slow that one major pollutant won’t reach safe levels for another 90 years. We need a clear, fully funded plan to meet these pollution targets this decade.
“Management of the Reef sits with both the Federal and Queensland Governments. In the face of escalating climate impacts, they should be pulling every lever to reduce pressure on the Reef. That means committing to a strong emissions reduction target and to phase out fossil fuels, accelerating efforts to meet water quality targets, and phasing out destructive fishing practices. With the World Heritage Committee calling for a full review, Australia has just six months to show real progress. Delay is no longer an option.”
The Australian Marine Conservation Society is calling on both state and federal governments to step up action in the lead-up to the 2026 review and ensure the Reef gets the protection it urgently needs.