Great Barrier Reef 'in danger'
The United Nations irks Australia by recommending that the Great Barrier Reef should be added to the list as 'in danger' Slovíčka
The Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in danger", a United Nations panel said, drawing an angry response from Australia, which called the recommendation politically motivated.
Australia has lobbied furiously for years to stay off the endangered list as it could lead to the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem losing the U.N. heritage status, taking some of the shine off its attraction for tourists.
Making its recommendation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) committee said action was needed to counter the effects of climate change as the prospects of the reef retaining that cherished status had deteriorated.
UNESCO delegates visited an unspoilt stretch of the reef in 2015, but scientists say it has suffered three major coral bleaching events since, caused by severe marineheatwaves.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said Canberra would challenge the recommendation, saying some hidden agenda had influenced its findings. "This decision was flawed. Clearly there were politics behind it," Leys said, adding that Australia had conveyed its concerns to UNESCO.
China chairs the UNESCO committee, but when queried in parliament, Ley declined to say if she was pointing the finger at Beijing.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government official said that China had been responsible for the committee's stance. China rejected the assertion that it was behind the move.
"What you mentioned is a groundless smear against China," said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, adding that the accusation was similar to others made against China, regarding its "ulterior political motives".
China's embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Relations with China, the biggest customer for Australia's exports, have deteriorated in recent years to hit a low after Prime Minister Scott Morrison sought an independent inquiry over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Environmental groups gave short shrift to the notion that politics played a part in the adverse recommendation, saying it was clear Australia was not doing enough to protect the reef.
"There is no avenue for any government to have any input. This recommendation is reached by world renowned scientists," said Richard Leck, Head of Oceans for the World Wide Fund for Nature, Australia.
Australia's reliance on coal-fired power makes it one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita, but its conservative government has steadfastly backed fossil fuel industries, saying tougher action on emissions would cost jobs.
Text pochází z agentury Reuters
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