The gathering from noon on Friday, November 8 will call on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to declare a climate emergency.

MidCoast Council and Bellingen Shire Council are among an increasing number of councils to take that step.

The Australian Medical Association recognises climate change as a health emergency and more than 11,000 scientists across 153 countries have declared the world faces a climate emergency.

A collaboration of local groups is behind the November 8 event.

People are encouraged to bring a picnic rug and their lunch and wear colourful clothes.

The event will feature speakers and music.

The spokesperson for the alliance of groups, Kerri-ann Jones, said the aim of the campaign was to get our council to declare a climate emergency and back it with supporting policies and programs which it could work with the community to achieve.

"As groups, we believe we are in a climate emergency but the power of a declaration really comes from a council or a government," she said.

Ms Jones said the event was not a protest action but a peaceful, family-friendly event to demonstrate that the community wanted a climate emergency declaration from council.

"The community is supportive of the council's goal of 100 per cent renewable energy [by 2027] for council's operations and we are showing our support as a way of encouraging council to declare a climate emergency so they can focus on the actions they need to take," she said.

The council aims to source 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2027 under its Long Term Energy Strategy.

The council deferred taking steps towards a climate change policy despite passionate pleas from community members to act now.

A report is due back to the December council meeting with an overview of significant sustainability initiatives and programs which the council has previously and is currently engaged in.

The report will include how each might relate to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. The council will also consider funding a sustainability officer in the 2020-2021 operational plan.

The mayor and all councillors have been invited to Friday's event.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann will speak at the event from a personal viewpoint.

"I'm not in favour of requiring council to declare a climate emergency," she said.

"I absolutely believe we are in a climate crisis but I do not believe there is support in council for declaring a climate emergency.

"Rather than words, I want to make sure council takes the right action."

What else is making news, sport?

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.