The Great Barrier Reef has become the first non-human entity to be nominated for a United Nations Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chief executive officer of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Mark Olsen, says it’s natural for the reef to be recognised.

“We reckon that the individual that had the largest impact on the world just happens to be the world’s largest individual – the Great Barrier Reef,” he told 4BC Afternoons.

He also says the decision to crown a winner will come down to one person in the UN’s environment program.

“So we really need a global movement of support,” he said.

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Image: iStock.

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