Mining and oil threatens one in three natural world heritage sites — report

WWF finds 31% world heritage sites at risk from fossil fuel exploration and mining, including Great Barrier Reef and Africa's oldest national park

Nearly one in three natural world heritage sites are at risk of exploration for fossil fuels and mining, a report from the conservation charity WWF has found.

The record high of 31% at risk is up from 24% last year. Natural world heritage sites are selected as the most important globally to conserve for reasons of natural beauty or significance, including game reserves, and unique natural features such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.