Scientists warn government must aim for faster transition to net zero to save Great Barrier Reef

Marine scientists say more ambitious climate targets will be needed to save the Great Barrier Reef. (Usplash: Giorgia Doglioni)

Marine scientists say Australia's carbon emission reduction targets must accelerate under the nation's new-look parliament if the Great Barrier Reef is to be saved.

Federal Labor has remained firm on its existing target of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and an aim of achieving net zero by 2050.

The government may secure a majority in the lower house but is likely to need support from the Greens and potentially former Wallaby David Pocock to pass contentious legislation in the Senate.

Selina Ward, a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and academic director of Heron Island Research Station, said the election result left her "really hopeful and optimistic".

However, the expert in coral reproduction and recruitment has warned coral reefs' ability to recover from events like bleaching and cyclones depends on them having time to do so.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Fitzroy Island to outline Labor's Great Barrier Reef policy during the federal election campaign. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)

"What has us most worried at the moment is we keep having these events close together," Dr Ward said.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's recently published annual snapshot this month confirmed the reef experienced its fourth mass bleaching event in seven years.

It was the first to occur under typically cooler and darker La Niña conditions.

Coral reefs can recover from bleaching events but are less effective at doing so when it occurs frequently. (Supplied: Ruby Holmes, One Tree Island Sydney University Research Station)

Restoration alone not enough

The new government has promised to spend an extra $194 million over four years to improve the reef's water quality, reduce plastic pollution and limit nutrient run-off, along with more restoration work.

"Those things are, of course, important, but without strong climate change action, they won't save the reef by themselves," Dr Ward said.

Lissa Schindler from the Australian Marine Conservation Society said the government's existing emissions reduction target was in line with a 2C warming scenario under which "we will lose 99 per cent of coral reefs".

"What science is telling us is we need 75 per cent by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5C [degrees]," Dr Schindler said.

The incoming government may need the support of the Greens to pass legislation, Greens leader Adam Bandt is pictured with new Senator Penny Allman-Payne. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)

Dr Schindler said to achieve more ambitious targets the government would need to help regional communities reliant on thermal coal exports transition to more secure industries.

While Labor failed to win any seats from the Coalition in north and central Queensland, there were swings in all but one of those electorates.

Both Dr Ward and Dr Schindler said the results showed Australians increasingly understood climate risks.