Shanghai low carbon venture gathers pace

Representatives from Edinburgh and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universities converged on ECCI this week to deepen their commitment to China’s first low carbon college.

Delegates from the Chinese and Scottish institutions came together as the Universities signed an agreement to finance a £600,000 collaborative research, teaching and innovation development fund.

The China-UK Low Carbon College in Lingang, Shanghai will encourage climate innovation in China and around the world and draws on the expertise of ECCI, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Edinburgh.

The fund will support travel and accommodation for staff involved in projects including sustainable construction, air quality, energy efficiency and low carbon smarter cities.

The college will offer Masters programmes in Low Carbon Environment and Low Carbon Energy and within four years programmes will be offered in Carbon Finance, Carbon Management and Low Carbon Cities.

It will also provide state-of-the-art research labs, teaching and lecturing facilities and accommodation for students and staff.

The University of Edinburgh's Senior Vice Principal, Professor Charlie Jeffery, said: "We are delighted to forge a closer relationship with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

"There is a clear need for effective knowledge exchange in order to facilitate a low carbon economy around the world."

ECCI Deputy Director Ed Craig said: "Over the next three months, the partnership will welcome 20 new Masters students, develop and fund ten new research proposals and launch the fully-fitted Low Carbon College facility in Shanghai Lingang for staff, students and enterprises. 

"The college will act as a 'green bridge' for the transfer, translation, adaption and implementation of great ideas and solutions while driving world class research focused on the global challenge of climate change, and will be replicated throughout China.  

"ECCI has played a leadership role in the development and acceleration of this key strategic initiative and will drive the integration of an 'ECCI-like' facility in Shanghai Lingang as part of the Low Carbon College."

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