Local councils in NSW have voted to declare a climate emergency and will urge state and federal governments to develop climate risk standards, such as providing more renewable energy for all new infrastructure and property projects.

The motion was carried 51-49 at the NSW local government annual conference on Tuesday.

“This means the peak body that represents all councils in NSW will fight the NSW state government and federal government to prioritise policies that provide more renewable energy and reduce our carbon footprint,” said Andrew Zbik, the Labor candidate for Lane Cove.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore applauded the efforts of City of Sydney councillor Jess Miller, who led work on the motion, which was put forward by the City of Ryde’s Jerome Laxale.

“We need to work together to protect our communities from the risk of increasing flooding, heat, droughts and storms,” Ms Moore said.

Hornsby Shire Mayor and former federal government attorney-general Philip Ruddock opposed the motion, according to Lismore councillor Eddie Lloyd.