A Southland regional councillor is pleased key stakeholders are joining forces against climate change as a first-of-its-kind strategy gets set for public consultation.

On Thursday, Environment Southland became the final of four councils in the region to endorse a non-regulatory plan developed last year by a regional working group.

The strategy aims to support a cohesive response against climate change in a bid to protect environmental, economic, cultural and social wellbeing.

Thursday’s green light followed endorsement from Southland District Council and Invercargill City last month, and Gore District Council on Wednesday.

Councillor Peter McDonald warned climate change was about to “dominate” the region.

He hoped the strategy was the beginning of a more collaborative approach from the region’s councils.

“We don’t have resources and money to waste on this big issue.”

Councillors Maurice Rodway, Nicol Horrell and Lyndal Ludlow also spoke positively about the proposed strategy, with the latter asking what themes had come up in other councils' debates.

In response, Councillor Phil Morrison said data on emissions compiled by regional development agency Great South had created a stir.

“I think for some of the rural facing councils, there is a little bit of anxiety triggered when they see (a) large amount of emissions in Southland comes from agriculture.”

Morrison also said concerns had emerged about the title of the document as a strategy, because it didn’t outline the specific actions that needed be taken.

The strategy would be complete once the framework for action was finished, he said.

Environment Southland’s support means the proposed strategy can now go out for public consultation before feedback comes back to the Regional Climate Change Working Group in May.

The working group is made up of four councils and iwi liaison entity Te Ao Mārama Inc.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Reporter: Matthew Rosenberg