European Union official sounds alarm over threats to Great Barrier Reef

EU commissioner Virginijus Sinkeviius urges Australia to sign Leaders' Pledge for Nature that promotes a green recovery from Covid crisis

A senior European Union official has sounded the alarm over the rapid decline of Australia's Great Barrier Reef while backing calls for all countries to make more ambitious cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU's commissioner for environment, oceans and fisheries, Virginijus Sinkeviius, told Guardian Australia he was deeply concerned by the threats facing the Great Barrier Reef. As long as we do not change our behaviours, things will not improve," he said.