China's first college for the study of low-carbon technology is to open next year at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in cooperation with world-leading experts from the UK's University of Edinburgh.

The partnership between the two universities will create opportunities that draw on the research expertise and innovation of Edinburgh's School of Geosciences and the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation.

Experts from China and the United Kingdom will collaborate on research projects in sustainable construction, air quality, energy efficiency and smarter cities. Courses at the college will include carbon finance and management, carbon capture, and storage and environmental sustainability.

The institutions will explore opportunities for joint undergraduate and doctoral education programs, and will operate an exchange program for faculty members, support staff and graduate students.

"The Sino-UK low carbon college will be an active player in the low-carbon valley initiative in Shanghai's Lingang region. The initiative aims to deploy and demonstrate low-carbon solutions nationally and globally," said Ed Craig, head of enterprise and innovation for carbon center.