The motion, put forward by Greens councillor Cathy Griff, proposed council's upcoming Climate Resilience Strategy recognise a climate emergency, and that reports on "relevant strategies, plans or initiatives" must include an assessment of potential climate change impacts.

"Passing the motion is a powerful and symbolic step towards council strengthening our position on climate change action," Cr Griff said.

"We are in a better position to develop a broad, robust, enduring and widely supported Climate Resilience Strategy, which takes account of the current climate emergency."

Before the meeting Wonboyn oyster farmer and volunteer firefighter Andrew Jeeves was joined by four other speakers in support of the motion.

Mr Jeeves said rising acid levels in sea water is already effecting oyster shells in Northern NSW, and sea level projections predict his current aquaculture farm will turn from a lake to a beach as sea levels rise.

"It's a bit like the canary in the coal mine. If oysters are in trouble then everything is," he said.

"There are major impacts already as a farmer. It is just such a difficult thing for government, because we are so dependent on oil and coal.

"A lot of people have entrenched positions because it's become political."

He said he knew of a number of beef farmers currently planting trees to offset their methane emissions.

The motion proposed by Greens councillor Cathy Griff was carried at Wednesday's meeting with Crs Liz Seckold, Jo Dodds, Sharon Tapscott and Mayor Kristy McBain in support.

Councillors Russell Fitzpatrick, Robyn Bain and Mitchell Nadin voted against the move, while Cr Tony Allen was absent.

Fourth generation Bega Valley resident Mica Lynnah urged councillors to "listen to the experts", and high school teacher Laurel Waddell said the region is not "immune to the problems of the world".

Eleven-year-old Alina North-Andrew joined 17-year-old Dominique Turville, who has collected almost 6000 signatures on her climate emergency petition, in sharing with councillors the perspective of the region's young residents who support the motion.

"I am seriously debating whether to have kids, and many of my friends are. I ask you to look at the facts and accept the science. This is not a political debate, " Dominique said.

Two residents also spoke against the motion, with Campbell Bruce Geddes Stewart accusing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of attempting to redistribute the world's wealth, while Dr Deborah Rizzoli claimed the climate emergency movement is part of a "government created revolution" with the aim of spreading "socialism".