UK and China agree £20m low carbon research programme

The UK and China have agreed a new £20m three-year programme that will support research to develop new low carbon manufacturing processes and technologies, low carbon cities and offshore renewables.


Signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a meeting in London, witnessed by the UK’s Minister of State for Climate Change, Greg Barker, the UK and China will each commit £10m of matched resources over the course of the programme.

The MoU, signed by representatives from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as part of the Research Councils UK (RCUK) Energy Programme, is the latest collaboration in a series of joint research programmes stretching over the last five years.

NSFC deputy director for the Department of Engineering and Materials Sciences professor Li Ming said: “In the past few years, NSFC and RCUK have witnessed substantive development of their bilateral relationship and enjoyed successful collaboration in the area of energy research. We look forward to continuing the collaboration and bringing more benefits to the two scientific communities.”

EPSRC chief executive professor David Delpy added: “This latest agreement addresses how to develop new low carbon methods of manufacturing, urban living and energy production.

“Meeting the needs of industry and consumers, while reducing the demands humankind places on the environment, are similar challenges for both China and the UK,” said Delpy.

Leigh Stringer

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