Implications of Climate Change for Australia's World Heritage ...

PREFACE BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
World Heritage properties are important to all people and have a universal value that transcends national boundaries.
Australia’s 17 World Heritage properties include the largest World Heritage property, the Great Barrier Reef, extensive natural
and Indigenous places like Kakadu National Park, isolated marine and terrestrial areas such as Macquarie Island, and Sydney
Opera House, an architectural masterpiece. Climate changes such as sea level rise, reduced rainfall and higher temperatures
are expected to threaten the resilience of our World Heritage properties, exacerbating issues such as habitat loss and
degradation, spread of invasive species and changing fire regimes.
Committed to protecting the values of Australia’s World Heritage properties, in 2006 the Australian Government asked the
Australian National University to assess the exposure, potential impacts, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of our World
Heritage properties to climate change and to identify major knowledge gaps. This resulting report will inform management
plans and government policy on World Heritage and climate change adaptation into the future.
Some of our World Heritage properties have already embarked on far-sighted initiatives to manage the effects of climate
change. For example, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has completed a detailed vulnerability assessment
and is implementing an $8.9 million Climate Change Action Plan, and a $200 million Reef Rescue Plan, funded by the
Australian Government.
A range of other Australian Government and intergovernmental studies and initiatives are contributing to our understanding
of the risks posed to biodiversity and natural landscapes from climate change. The National Climate Change Adaptation
Framework is the basis for government action on adaptation over the next five to seven years, and it includes actions to
assist the most vulnerable sectors and regions of the country. $126 million has been provided towards the implementation
of the framework, including the establishment of a Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, which will lead Australia’s
researchers in generating robust biophysical, social and economic information that decision makers need to manage the risk
of climate change.
One of the first countries to ratify the World Heritage Convention in 1974, Australia is committed to helping other countries
protect World Heritage. Keen to share our skills and experience on World Heritage and climate change, in 2007 we provided
significant input and guidance on the World Heritage Convention’s Climate Change Policy. Our election to the World Heritage
Committee in 2007 for a four-year term provides further opportunities for collaboration.
v