Great Barrier Reef: leading scientists praise Unesco’s ‘in danger’ warning

Group of reef and climate scientists say world heritage warning merited and Australia has not pulled its weight on emissions'

Five of the world's leading reef and climate scientists have thanked Unesco for recommending the Great Barrier Reef be listed as world heritage in danger", saying it was the right decision in part because Australia had not pulled its weight" in reducing emissions.

The group of scientists, including the Australian professors Ove Hoegh-Guldberg and Terry Hughes, wrote to the UN body on Thursday saying the recommendation to downgrade the 2,300-km reef system's world heritage status was the right decision".