Great Barrier Reef World Heritage condition

Key Finding

The Great Barrier Reef remains whole and intact and maintains many of the elements that make up its outstanding universal value, as recognised in its world heritage listing. However, significant components that underpin the 4 natural world heritage criteria for which the World Heritage Area was inscribed in 1981 have deteriorated since its inscription. This deterioration has affected the integrity of the Reef’s outstanding universal value.

For example:

• Components of natural phenomena, such as turtle breeding, whale migration and coral spawning, continue but these elements are being increasingly challenged by climate change.
• Some alteration to processes that influence reef formation and maintain sediment accumulation on reefs and islands has occurred.
• Many ecological processes have deteriorated since 2014 due to the combined effects of climate change and inshore land-based run-off.
• Significant habitat reduction and alteration in a number of areas has led to persistent and substantial effects on populations of some dependent species.

The significance of the World Heritage Area still transcends national boundaries and remains a source of pride for the Australian public broadly.

More information:

• Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2019, and references therein

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets

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