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IN PHOTO: A tourist swims on the Great Barrier Reef in this undated file picture. Fishing will be banned from about one third of the Australian reef under a draft rescue plan unveiled by the Australian government May 30. The coral reef, which is one of Australia's most popular tourist attractions, is under threat from record temperatures, over-fishing and pollution. REUTERS/HO/Great Barrier Reef National Park Authority

The Australian Government has spent over $100,000 in travel expenses alone to lobby with member countries to desist the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, or UNESCO, from listing the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger." Environmentalists are fighting hard to stop the coal projects along the reef.

Australia's largest coal reserves have been discovered in Queensland's Galilee Basin. The coal reserves is said to be the size of Britain and would contribute to about 11 percent of Australia's carbon emissions. Various projects involving Gina Rinehart's Alpha Mine and Indian conglomerates like the Adani group have been proposed. The mined coal would be shipped through the Great Barrier Reef waters via the Abbot Point Port. According to The Guardian, environmentalists have challenged the coal projects and the expansion of Abbot Point Port which would create immense pressure on the reef.

UNESCO has expressed its concern over the erosion of the reef and the draft decision about the reef status would be delivered by May, ahead of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, Germany. The Australian government has started frantic diplomatic efforts to avoid the “in danger” listing by meeting with officials of 21 countries on the committee.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the government has revealed to the Senate estimates hearing that it has already met with 19 countries, with only Algeria and Senegal remaining. The travel costs revealed do not involve the expenses for Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Australia's Ambassador for Environment Peter Woolcott. The government has accused the Greens of conducting a smear campaign against the country.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral structure and is known for its biodiversity. It has an iconic status and a potential “in danger listing” by UNESCO would scare away potential lenders who would worry about damaging their environmental credentials. Already, banks like Barclays and HSBC have distanced themselves. The conservative Tony Abbott government, which feels “coal is good for humanity,” is spending hard to avoid the listing.

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