Qantas Airways has pledged $10 million over the next decade to support one of Australia’s most cherished natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef.
The national carrier announced this commitment in collaboration with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation on Thursday.
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The funds will be dedicated to Coral In Vitro Fertilization (Coral IVF) programs, focusing on the cultivation of infant coral, as well as the research and development of more heat-tolerant coral strains.
Anna Marsden, the managing director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, said the partnership also aimed to establish the world’s first portable coral nurseries.
“Coral reefs are the beating heart of our oceans. They’re a nursery and safe haven for a quarter of all marine life and support a billion people,” she said.
According to the federal government, between 2022 and 2023, more than 2.19 million people visited the Great Barrier Reef, contributing $5.9 billion to the national economy.
“The Great Barrier Reef, and coral reefs around Australia and the world, cannot adapt fast enough to warming ocean temperatures,” she added.
Ms Marsden highlighted the significant advancements made in coral restoration science in recent years and demonstrated the importance of safeguarding the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
However, the announcement comes amid a challenging period for Qantas, with recent high-profile departures and legal controversies.
Andrew Parker, Qantas Group chief sustainability officer, said that the partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation is a crucial component of the airline’s Nature Action Plan.
“Connecting our customers with natural landscapes is at the core of what we do, including carrying millions of people to the reef each year.”
The funds will not only contribute to scientific programs but will also support traditional owners and local tourism operators in their efforts to restore corals across the reef.
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