Researchers from UK and Chinese universities are collaborating on four new projects to achieve “low carbon cities” in the UK and China. The projects were announced as Chinese president, Xi Jinping, visited the UK this week.
The projects will receive more than £3m in funding from the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with matched equivalent resources from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
The four projects, based on collaboration between UK and Chinese academics, aim to reduce the carbon emissions of existing technologies.
The projects will also examine alternative energy sources and a reduction of energy demand, all with a focus on urban environments.
The four projects funded are:
- Low Carbon Transitions of Fleet Operations in Metropolitan Sites (Newcastle University, Imperial College London, and Southeast University)
- City-Wide Analysis to Propel Cities towards Resource Efficiency and Better Wellbeing (University of Southampton and Xi’an University of Architecture & Technology)
- The “Total Performance” of Low Carbon Buildings in China and the UK (University College London and Tsinghua University)
- Low carbon climate-responsive Heating and Cooling of Cities (University of Cambridge, University of Reading and Chongqing University)
Professor Philip Nelson FREng, EPSRC’s chief executive, said: “The aim of this UK-China research collaboration will be to reduce worldwide CO2 production and ensure energy security and affordability. This is the first of three low carbon innovation projects between EPSRC and NSFC. The projects build on the strength of our internationally renowned research and will benefit both the UK and Chinese economies.”
Professor Che Chengwei, deputy director general, department of engineering and material Sciences, NSFC commented: “NSFC has been working closely with EPSRC for several years to address challenges related to achieving a low-carbon economy.
“This latest programme, with a focus on future urban environments, will build substantially stronger links between Chinese and UK research communities in relevant areas. It will also brighten the future bilateral collaboration between both countries.”
Low Carbon Cities forms part of the Low Carbon Innovation programme, a £20m three-year investment announced in March 2014.
