The B.C. government's throne speech announcement that it plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2020 is being applauded by an influential climatologist at the University of Victoria.

Andrew Weaver, one of the lead authors of the UN report on climate change, calls it the "most progressive plan" he's seen in North America, and one of the best in the world.

Weaver also told the Victoria Times-Colonist the plan represents "great leadership," and that none of the goals is out of reach.

Weaver's endorsement comes on the heels of favourable reaction from renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, who said he was "very encouraged" by the shift in thinking by Premier Gordon Campbell.

Oil and gas industry will co-operate

Meanwhile, the president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers said his group is ready to work with the government to achieve its goals.

Pierre Alvarez told CBC News he is not taking issue with either the science of climate change or the Campbell government's interpretation of it.

"I think the message the government is saying is, 'Look, we're going to move forward with a series of regulated steps to deal with the greenhouse gas emissions.' We're prepared to work with the government on that. We're not going to resist that whatsoever, but there is an awful lot of work yet to do."

The government says B.C. will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry to year 2000 levels by 2016. That will include zero flaring at producing wells.

Alvarez said the petroleum industry still needs a lot more details about how this will work. "We want to make sure we understand, is this a hard cap or is it one that offsets could be available for?"

B.C. Energy Minister Richard Neufeld said the government does plan to use forests as so-called "carbon sinks" to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and help meet the targets set in the throne speech.