Managing a World Heritage Site in the Face of Climate Change: A Case Study of the Wet Tropics in Northern Queensland

Climate change poses a significant threat to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Wet Tropics of Queensland (WTWHA). This study highlights that current management strategies are insufficient to mitigate these impacts, necessitating transformative approaches. The WTWHA serves as a case study demonstrating how evidence-based advocacy and strategic climate adaptation plans can guide protection efforts. Community engagement is crucial for implementing mitigation, adaptation, and resilience policies, ensuring the long-term preservation of this globally recognized natural and cultural landscape.

Weber, E. T., Catterall, C. P., Locke, J., Ota, L. S., Prideaux, B., Shirreffs, L., Talbot, L., & Gordon, I. J. (2021). Managing a World Heritage Site in the Face of Climate Change: A Case Study of the Wet Tropics in Northern Queensland. Earth, 2(2), 248–271. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth2020015