The CRD Parks and Environment Committee have unanimously agreed to declare a climate emergency and move towards being carbon-neutral by 2030.
The motion was put forward by Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, and Saanich Councillor Ned Taylor.
Taylor says the motion and all the recommendations were passed unanimously, and he says the most significant part is the pledge to become carbon neutral.
"Climate change is, without a doubt, one of the most pressing issues, if not the most pressing issue, facing our region and out world today. And we have to expedite our efforts to tackle climate change."
He says it will be a difficult process, with one of the biggest challenges being transportation.
"We've got a lot of congestion in and out of the West Shore. We have got a poor public transit system, in my opinion. We need to improve that public transit system, and also work to make that public transit system cleaner by getting more electric busses."
Taylor also says the region needs to offset emissions, by planting and protecting trees.
The motion will be reviewed by the CRD Board, and if approved, then the Board Chair will write to each municipality, and ask them to participate. Taylor says he is very hopeful all the recommendations pass, and that each of the municipalities get involved.
"We actually have an opportunity here to bring the region together and to collaborate amongst the CRD and amongst other municipalities, to work towards tackling climate change. With 13 municipalities and with a regional body of government, it can sometimes be difficult for the entire region to work towards one goal. But that is my hope with this motion is that we can, despite our differences in our municipalities, despite our differences of opinions in other issues, we can hopefully all come together on this issue, declare a climate emergency, and work towards being a carbon neutral region by 2030, so we can protect our region and our world for future generations."