There were a lot of young people in the room when Queenstown Lakes District Council declared a climate emergency today

Extinction Rebellion Queenstown Lakes made a presentation to the council before it made its decision.

Councillor John MacDonald says young people are driving action on climate change.

He says when you look at the media and social media young people are concerned about their future.

MacDonald when they make decisions like this they think about their children and grandchildren and what sorts of life they're going to have.

The council also has a Climate Change Action Plan that's going out for consultation.