A petition with more than 10,000 signatures will be table when Parliament resumes in early May, with new Climate, Environment and Water Minister Susan Close saying she wants the global climate emergency recognised.
Dr Close plans to introduce a motion that "reflects the seriousness of the climate crisis", with an emphasis on "decarbonising" the South Australian economy.
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The Labor government says they has been 10 years of inaction of climate change by federal and state Liberal governments, which have left Australia badly exposed to the effects of climate change and SA can not afford to wait for real action.
It says the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report showed that some parts of Australia had already recorded increased average temperatures of 1.4C since 1910 and a significant rainfall decrease across southern Australia, with further drops in annual rainfall expected.
"After years of federal and state Liberal inaction on climate change, it's past time to act and that starts with acknowledging the truth of the seriousness of the climate crisis," Dr Close said.
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She said the Labor government had committed to action to address climate change, including building a hydrogen plant and repealing the Liberal tax on electric vehicles.
"As we work towards net zero emissions by 2050, we must focus on supporting projects and policies which are climate friendly and encourage growth in resilient low-carbon businesses," Dr Close said.
"The Malinauskas government will position SA to take advantage of the global need to rapidly reduce emissions.
"A significant project will be our world-leading hydrogen power station, which will be built and operated by the government, to power green manufacturing right here in SA."
The SA Liberal party was contacted for comment.
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