Al Gore says he's impressed with the environmental initiatives being promised by B.C.’s government.

The former U.S. vice-president told a Vancouver audience Saturday night Premier Gordon Campbell is to be praised for his promise last week of legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and his pledge to adopt California's tough tailpipe emission standards for vehicles.

Speaking to a crowd of about 1,500 people, including Campbell, Gore said the B.C. premier is showing "leadership" on the environmental file.

"I want to compliment you on the program you announced yesterday and the leadership you are showing," Gore said.

"It really is a fantastic source of optimism and hope to have someone in your position taking this kind of initiative."

Gore made the comments during a slide presentation based on his Academy Award-winning movie An Inconvenient Truth.

Campbell disclosed his green initiatives Friday during a speech to the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual meeting. In it, he promised legislation to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions 33 per cent below current levels by 2020.

He also said a specially appointed climate action team will look at how that target will be reached.

And he promised legislation will be passed to make B.C. the first province in Canada to legally cap greenhouse gas emissions, using an undisclosed carbon trading system.

Among other initiatives, Campbell said his government would introduce legislation this fall requiring all public sector organizations, including schools and Crown corporations, to be carbon neutral by 2010.

But not everyone was agreeing with Gore's assessment of Campbell as a leader on environment issues.

Nearly 80 people rallied outside the hotel where Gore was praising Campbell to protest a provincial government transportation program that they say will harm the environment.

They say the Gateway Program — which involves building and improving roads — promotes the use of the car, which leads to more emissions.