SCOTLAND’S low carbon expertise is to expand further into China with a new initiative from the University of Edinburgh.

The China-UK Low Carbon College (LCC) located in “smart city” Lingang, Shanghai, will become a key centre for the exchange of ideas, talent, technology and resources to tackle global environmental challenges.

Students, academics and industry experts from China, Scotland and farther afield will develop a range of projects, courses and partnerships.

These will be based around ideas that include sustainable construction, air quality and energy efficiency, as well as developing smarter cities that use data and digital technology to improve quality of life.

Ed Craig, currently deputy director of the renown Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) which is part of the University of Edinburgh, will be the dean of the new college.

He told the Sunday National: “Our vision is to create a game-changing ‘green bridge’ for the development and implementation of climate solutions and world-class research on a massive scale between Edinburgh and Shanghai’s new ‘smart city’, Lingang.

“China has demonstrated strong policy leadership in the areas of energy and other low carbon policy areas but can benefit from the systemic progress demonstrated by Europe in creating a positive entrepreneurial eco-system.’’ Lingang, a “green satellite city” south of Shanghai, boasts of using smart technology to run the city and is home to eight university hubs.

The college hopes to attract around 1000 students.