Great Barrier Reef
Key Messages
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World Heritage sites are places that have Outstanding Universal Value that transcend the significance they hold for a particular nation.
These qualities are expressed in the convention concerning the protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The World Heritage Convention aims to promote cooperation among nations to protect heritage around the world that is of such Outstanding Universal Value that its conservation is important for current and future generations.
It is important to ensure that all World Heritage areas, regardless of their Outstanding Universal Value, acknowledge First Nations peoples’ ongoing connection to Country.
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The Great Barrier Reef became the first coral reef ecosystem to be listed on the World Heritage List in 1981. Its World Heritage listing recognises the reef’s importance to the global community and the need for its protection and preservation for future generations. It was listed for all 4 natural heritage criteria.
There are approximately 70 First Nation groups whose sea country includes the Great Barrier Reef. Evidence of First Nations people’s relationship to sea Country demonstrates an ongoing connection to the Great Barrier Reef region for over 60,000 years.
Great Barrier Reef
State
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage condition
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area remains whole and intact, but its integrity is being challenged. Its outstanding universal value remains; however, the condition of the property has deteriorated to varying extents. Increasing pressure brought about by climate change, combined with chronic and legacy impacts are undermining the Reef’s resilience.
- Great Barrier Reef World Heritage natural criteria
The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 and included on the National Heritage List in 2007.
Pressure
- Climate change and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 provides assessments of the impact of climate change for the Great Barrier Reef ’s ecological, heritage, economic and social values and the risk posed by threats posed by climate change into the future.
As the Outlook Report’s grading assessments are not specific to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area boundaries, relevant information and links are provided on the Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef page.
- Coastal development and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 provides assessments of the impact of coastal development for the Great Barrier Reef ’s ecological, heritage, economic and social values and the risk posed by threats posed by coastal development into the future.
As the Outlook Report’s grading assessments are not specific to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area boundaries, relevant information and links are provided on the Coastal Development and the Great Barrier Reef page.
- Direct use and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 provides assessments of the impact of direct use for the Great Barrier Reef ’s ecological, heritage, economic and social values and the risk posed by threats posed by direct use into the future.
As the Outlook Report’s grading assessments are not specific to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area boundaries, relevant information and links are provided on the Direct Use on the Great Barrier Reef page.
- Crown-of-thorns starfish and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 provides assessments of the impact of crown-of-thorns starfish for the Great Barrier Reef ’s ecological, heritage, economic and social values and the risk posed by threats posed by crown -of-thorns starfish outbreaks into the future.
As the Outlook Report’s grading assessments are not specific to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area boundaries, relevant information and links are provided on the Crown-of-thorns Starfish and the Great Barrier Reef page.
- Land-based run-off and the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
The Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024 provides assessments of the impact of land-based runoff for the Great Barrier Reef’s ecological, heritage, economic and social values and the risk posed by threats posed by direct use into the future.
As the Outlook Report’s grading assessments are not specific to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area boundaries, relevant information and links are provided on the Land-based Runoff and the Great Barrier Reef page.