The Greatest Barrier?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culural Organisation (UNESCO) is a political body. Its World Heritage Committee, designates coveted World Heritage Sites. In the same week Liverpool's waterfront was dropped by the World Heritage Committee, the same body agreed not to immediately put Australia's Great Barrier Reef on its 'in danger' list. This was, however, only after a 'global lobbying effort' by Australia (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/23/world-heritage-committee-agrees-not-to-place-great-barrier-reef-on-in-danger-list). The Australians are major producers and exporters of coal and gas. These activities inevitably increase the release of 'greenhouse gas' emissions. Global heating and climate change are major threats (along with pollution) to the Great Barrier Reef. The Australians got early support from oil rich Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, whose delegates sit on the World Heritage Committee (I wonder why?). They also flew a minister by military jet to a number 'potentially helpful countries also with delegates'. Eventually, they enlisted support from sufficient delegates, including those of Hungary, Nigeria and Russia, to block the reef's at risk designation. This may or may not be a temporary reprieve, as UNESCO are asked to send a 'progress report' by February 2023 (Australia wanted longer). Environmental groups have described this outcome as 'a victory for cynical lobbying'. It certainly doesn't augur well for COP26 (the next UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow).