Unesco urged to declare Great Barrier Reef 'in danger'

Environmental groups say Australian government is violating legal obligations to protect reef from global heating and UN committee should hold it to account

Environmental law groups in the US and Australia are pushing Unesco to place the world heritage status of the Great Barrier Reef on an in danger" list, arguing the Morrison government has violated legal obligations by not doing all it could to protect the natural wonder.

Earthjustice, based in San Francisco, and Environmental Justice Australia say the federal government is failing to live up to an obligation under the World Heritage Convention that member countries do all they can, including dedicating the utmost" of their resources, to protect and conserve protected sites.