As Australia’s lead management agency for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Reef Authority spearheads a global initiative to preserve and protect one of the world’s most iconic and diverse natural wonders. 

We recognise that climate change is the most serious threat to the Great Barrier Reef and coral reefs around the world.

Access the Reef Authority's Climate Change Position Statement here.

It’s for this reason that the Reef Authority is taking action and leading the way in reducing emissions within the Australian Public Services to achieve net zero by 2030.

Green Star certification 

The Reef Authority is committed to sustainability and making its buildings more sustainable as part of its plan to reach net zero emissions. To do this, the Reef Authority upgraded its head office in Townsville, North Queensland, aiming to achieve a Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.

A Green Star rating shows that a building meets high standards for being eco-friendly, energy-efficient, supporting building occupants and communities. The Reef Authority is aiming for at least a 5-star rating for its office at Stanley Place, proving the project’s positive impact on the environment and community.

Learn more about how the Reef Authority is building for a sustainable future HERE.

Our sustainability commitment

• The Reef Authority will implement pollution prevention practices, waste minimisation measures, and incorporate more efficient use of resources. Using nationally recognised methods, we will track and report on our environmental performance and assist others by showcasing innovation and action for sustainability across Reef Authority programs.
• Environmental sustainability underpins our management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Reef Authority supports and encourages the strongest and fastest possible actions to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the risks and limit the impacts of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef 1. We aim to further embed sustainability in our organisation and identify the current environmental impacts resulting from our diverse business activities through our Sustainability Strategy
• Our Sustainability Strategy will include mechanisms to review and improve our environmental performance, clearly articulate the overall direction of the organisation regarding our own environmental performance and formally express our commitment to sustainability.
• Our approach to planning, implementing, and reviewing our organisational sustainability will align with current legislation, modern standards, and codes, and in doing so demonstrate sustainability best practice.

The Reef Authority’s Sustainability Strategy 2024-2027 supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Reef Authority Emissions Reduction Plan 2024-25 will provide a pathway for the Reef Authority to meet Net Zero emissions targets through emissions reduction activities. It aligns with the Commonwealth Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy to reduce our operational emissions for the Australian Public Service.

Building on past sustainability successes

The Reef Authority emissions reduction journey started in 2007. We have since achieved our previous ambitious targets and will continue to stretch ourselves further by directly reducing emissions as much as possible and targeting net zero by 2030 through the Sustainability Strategy.

Up to now our focus has been on retrofit actions to reduce grid electricity use such as energy efficiency initiatives and the installation of rooftop solar, small hydropower and energy storage systems.
 

Strategy to reach net zero by 2030

The Reef Authority Sustainability Strategy 2024-2027 demonstrates our strong commitment to reducing emissions through the delivery of Reef Authority services and sets new targets with enabling initiatives that move us towards net zero emissions in our operations by 2030.

We see the effect marine debris and pollution, especially plastics, has on marine life on the Great Barrier Reef. We support a Circular Economy and initiatives that minimise waste going to landfill.

We will measure impacts and track progress against our goals each year. For example, we will quantify waste sent to landfill and track progress on waste reduction.

Our impacts will be reduced through sustainable procurement practices, finding efficiencies, on-site renewables, energy storage, electrifying our fleet vehicles, choosing off-site renewable energy sources, and adopting Circular Economy principles.

© Commonwealth of Australia (Reef Authority).

Our vision is a healthy Great Barrier Reef for future generations. Our wholistic approach to this future focus recognises the connections between our four sustainability focus areas to protect the Reef for future generations:

• Foundation - Strategy, governance and reporting
• Clean energy and clean air - Take action on climate change to reducing emissions
• Circular Economy - Align with the circular economy to reduce extraction from and waste to the environment
• Nature Positive - Regenerate nature and biodiversity to reduce emissions.

Read the Sustainability Strategy 2024-2027 or watch our case study video on our Sustainability Story to find out more.