Set more ambitious climate targets to save Great Barrier Reef, Unesco urges Australia

Reef escapes being classed in danger' for now but the government must submit a progress report to World Heritage committee by February

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Unesco has urged Australia to set more ambitious climate targets for the Great Barrier Reef in a list of recommendations to preserve its status as a world heritage site.

The report, published in Paris late on Monday, did not recommend the reef be placed on a list of sites in danger" - a threat that has hung over the reef for years - when the 21-country world heritage committee meets next month.

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