Former United States vice president Al Gore knows a thing or two about climate change.
So when he singles you out during his briefings at major United Nations climate talks in Paris, you've either done something pretty good, or pretty bad.
In South Australia's case, it's ambitious goals to slash carbon emissions and boost renewable energy that have caught the environmentalist's eye.
Premier Jay Weatherill is in the French capital for a number of side events and says South Australia attracted Gore's attention for goals like net zero emissions by 2050 and predictions the state will reach its 50-per-cent-renewable target by next year.
He's also pushing for Adelaide to become the world's first carbon neutral city.
"They're curious about a state that seems to be taking a different position from the national government," Mr Weatherill told AAP in Paris on Tuesday.
While in the French capital as part of the Climate Group, a states and regions alliance, Mr Weatherill signed South Australia onto the Under2MOU - which requires its 80 signatories to commit to slashing emissions by 80 to 95 per cent by 2050.
South Australia is the first Australian state to sign on and aims to go one better to net zero, a stance Mr Weatherill sees as an opportunity not a risk.
"This is ultimately the goal we're all going to have to reach," he said.
He hopes South Australia's clean positioning will entice young people to stay in the state and encourage the flow of international investment and intellectual capital.
Net zero also has a much simpler benefit.
"It happens to be easier to talk about," Mr Weatherill said, comparing it to a target of numbers and base years.
Ministers are in Paris hoping to forge an agreement between 196 parties to curb carbon emissions and limit global warming.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stuck with the 2030 emissions reduction target of 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels crafted by his predecessor Tony Abbott.
Mr Weatherill would like to see a "serious" attempt by the government to grapple with climate change to help the states and territories with their policies.
"It's just orthodox economic theory to put a price on carbon," he said.
"If the prime minister and his environment minister were able to speak freely they would agree, but obviously there are some political constraints."
However, he noted the political landscape had changed now Australia no longer had a "dedicated climate sceptic" as prime minister.
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