SYDNEY, Friday 24 JULY 2026 — Greenpeace is calling on the Labor government to urgently address Queensland’s deforestation crisis using the new national nature law, after the Great Barrier Reef dodged another ‘in danger’ listing by UNESCO.
The decision to keep the world’s most famous reef off the ‘in danger’ list was adopted at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in South Korea today, despite grave concerns over the government’s unmet targets for water quality last year, a direct impact of deforestation in Queensland.
Adele Chasson, Nature Policy Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said:
“UNESCO has repeatedly voiced concern about the health and future of the Great Barrier Reef, and the reality is that this global icon is still in deep danger from runaway climate heating, coral-killing deforestation run-off, ocean acidification and coral bleaching.
“Deforestation in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas is an environmental crisis, making up almost half of all deforestation in Queensland. Deforestation run-off floods the reef with dirty sediment and toxic pesticides, poisoning corals and fuelling destructive crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. Labor must end rampant deforestation in Queensland or risk the Reef losing its World Heritage status, threatening the communities and wildlife who depend on it.”
The UNESCO committee recognised deforestation as a major threat to the Reef and welcomed Australia’s recent nature law reforms aimed at tackling deforestation in catchment areas. It urged Australia to act to improve the Reef’s water quality and requested a progress report by 2028.
“With these compounding pressures and a record El Niño around the corner, action to protect the Reef has never been more urgent. The Albanese government must immediately implement UNESCO's recommendations under the new EPBC laws and end unchecked deforestation in the Reef catchments,” Chasson said.
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Contact details:
Kimberley Bernard on 0407 581 404 or [email protected]
