After a concerted lobbying effort by Canberra, members of the World Heritage Committee -- including leading fossil fuel producers Russia and Saudi Arabia -- voted to give Australian conservation efforts more time.
Areas once teeming with vibrant corals have become lifeless washed-out wastelands, and two-thirds of the reef is believed to have been damaged in some way. On Friday, Ley welcomed the decision, thanking"esteemed delegates for recognising Australia's commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef"."This is a victory for one of the most cynical lobbying efforts in recent history," said Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter."This is not an achievement -- it is a day of infamy for the Australian government."
As well as coral bleaching, the reef is also susceptible to damage from cyclones and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, which eat the coral. The government has said it hopes to meet the target"as soon as possible" without harming the country's fossil fuel-reliant economy.