Australia To Challenge UNESCO Downgrade Of Great Barrier Reef

In a draft report released Monday, the UN body recommended the reef's World Heritage status be downgraded due to its dramatic coral decline.

Australia will strongly oppose a UNESCO plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger" over its deterioration caused by climate change, the government said Tuesday. The UN body released a draft report on Monday recommending the reef's World Heritage status be downgraded because of its dramatic coral decline. Environmental campaigners said the decision highlighted Australia's lack of action to curb emissions and brought "shame" on the government. Environment Minister Sussan Ley said Australia would mount a challenge after the "back-flip on previous assurances from UN officials", ahead of the World Heritage Committee's 44th session hosted by China next month.