Will there still be a Reef in 2050?

Transcription

1 Will there still be a Reef in 2050? Review of law and policy progress to protect our Great Barrier Reef Revel Pointon Law Reform Solicitor

2 Our Great Barrier Reef World s largest coral reef ecosystem One of the richest and most diverse ecosystems on Earth World Heritage Listing National Heritage Listing

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6 WHC Decision on the Reef in 2012 Notes with great concern unprecedented scale of coastal development within and affecting the property. Requests no further port development outside of major port areas. Requests Strategic Assessment and long-term plan for sustainable development of the property by with scientifically justified targets to improve conservation and resilience of the Reef Requests state of conservation of the property report by 2013 Decides to review the various reports requested, including the Outlook Report, in 2015, to see how we are doing

7 Even with the recent management initiatives to reduce threats and improve resilience, the overall outlook for the Great Barrier Reef is poor, has worsened since 2009 and is expected to further deteriorate in the future.

8 Greatest threats to the Reef: 1. Climate change: Increasing sea temperature, acidification, sea-level 2. Land-based runoff: Sediment, nutrients, crown-of-thorns 3. Coastal development: Habitat loss, flow barriers, dredge dumping

9 Published in 2015 Commitments by Federal & Queensland Governments To improve management of our impacts on the Great Barrier Reef

10 WHC Decision 2015: Reef 2050 Plan ensures the Reef is not listed as In Danger however: requests the State Party to rigorously implement all of its commitments of the 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan, including where necessary through their inclusion in legislation It is essential that the 2050 LTSP deliver its anticipated results in order to confirm that the property does not face ascertained or potential danger to its Outstanding Universal Value

11 Reef 2050 on: Coastal development Intended to address, amongst other things: Impacts to the Reef from port expansion, including dredging and offshore dumping of dredge spoil in the Reef marine park. Impacts to water quality through tree clearing. Weakening of coastal planning laws.

12 Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook Abbot Point

13 Reef 2050 on: Coastal development Actions taken to date: Introduction of Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015 (Qld) Federal and state ban on sea-based disposal of capital dredge material in the World Heritage Area and GBRMP. Restricted new port development to within current priority port limits. Prohibited major capital dredging for port facilities outside the four priority port areas.

14 Reef 2050 on: Coastal development Sufficient action taken? Many commitments achieved. Still working on some commitments around trans-shipping, impacts of maintenance dredging, and port master planning. Noting also: May 2017 WHC Decision: It is also noted that important legislation regulating land clearing has not been passed yet, and that increased efforts are needed to ensure that all important legislation necessary to deliver the 2050 LTSP outcomes is put in place

15 Reef 2050 on: Land-based run off Intended to address: Excessive sediment and nutrient run-off from upstream agricultural activities, as well as urban and other sources.

16 Outlook Report 2014, p163

17 Reef 2050 on: Land-based run off Action taken so far: Water quality impact regulations under review broadening, strengthening, improving landmanagement practices but retaining voluntary model for ag. Considering catchment load limits. Commitment to use enforcement powers under Environmental Protection Act chapter 4A

18 Reef 2050 on: Land-based run off Sufficient action? Slow High level of consultation sensitivities in working with farmers Staged implementation across various ag sectors Uncertain the extent of enforcement action historically soft approach taken.

19 Reef 2050 on: Land-based run off May 2017 WHC Decision: Strongly encourages the State Party to accelerate efforts to ensure meeting the intermediate and long-term targets of the plan, which are essential to the overall resilience of the property, in particular regarding water quality progress towards achieving water quality targets has been slow, and the most immediate water quality targets set out in the 2050 LTSP are not expected to be achieved within the foreseen timeframe

20 Safe and healthy Reef = < 1C Climate change = the most serious threat to the Reef Source: Hoegh-Guldberg et al (2007) Vol 318 Science 1737

21 Reef 2050 action on: Climate change The Plan focuses on actions to address key threats and directly boost the health and resilience of the Reef so that it is best able to cope with effects of climate change...

22 Federal Government action on climate change Reef 2050 Commitment: Reduce emissions to 5% below 2000 levels by 2020 Implemented through Emissions Reduction Fund incentivises cuts to emissions through funding e.g. land sector activities, cleaning up power stations, capturing landfill gas and energy efficiency. As part of work toward a new global climate agreement for the post-2020 period, Australia will review its international targets and settings, taking into account action by all major economies and Australia s key trading partners. After Reef 2050: Committed to Paris Agreement

23 Federal action on climate change will not meet Paris commitments The ERF is the government s main emission reduction tool. The ERF s safeguard mechanism allows emissions to rise. The ERF cannot reduce emissions enough to meet Australia s fair share of the <2 C limit. The ERF falls well short of the government s inadequate 2030 target. The ERF has important strengths but major limitations. Significant new policies are needed to put Australia on track to net zero emissions or below. The Climate Institute

24 Queensland Government action on climate change Reef 2050 Enhanced, practical regulatory controls on the clearing of remnant and high value regrowth vegetation; and Single attempt to strengthen veg clearing laws failed in No further regulatory controls imposed apart from enforcement of law. Boosting support for the take-up of renewable energy technology. Various policies introduced to support increased renewable energy in Qld e.g. 50% renewables by 2030

25 Recent Qld action on climate change:

26 Paris Agreement may not be enough may just buy time

27 Reef Independent Expert Panel advises: revise Reef Plan to address climate change

28 Need a little hope? Kristen Marhaver - Marine biologist

29 For more information, to register or donate visit: edoqld.org.au/swimforthereef

30 Thanks for listening! Thank you to our donors! /EDO.Qld /EDO_Qld This material is for information purposes and is not legal advice.