Antinuclear

UN tries to hide involvement in deleting Australia from its climate report

Federal environment department says Unesco sought and was granted heavy redactions in freedom of information documents, Guardian, Michael Slezak , 2 Aug 16 The United Nations has tried to cover up its involvement in the Australian government’s successful attempt to have all mentions of the country removed from a report on climate change and world heritage sites, freedom of information documents show.

In May, Unesco published a report with the UN’s environment program, Unep, and the Union of Concerned Scientists about the impact of climate change on world heritage sites, which were also major tourist attractions.

Australia was the only continent not mentioned, despite being home to several important sites, including the Great Barrier Reef, which were being heavily affected by climate change.

As well, all mentions of Australia were removed from the introduction and other sections. The Guardian later published the draft section on the Great Barrier Reef that had been removed.

The department said it had asked for the changes because it was concerned the information could negatively affect tourism.

Now emails between various government agencies and Unesco have been released to the website Climate Home under freedom of information but almost all the content has been redacted…….https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/02/un-tries-to-hide-involvement-in-deleting-australia-from-its-climate-report

August 3, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News