Nicola Sturgeon has attended the official opening of a new carbon innovation centre in Hong Kong.
The centre is managed by a group based at Edinburgh University and will work on projects promoting sustainable construction, energy efficiency and air quality.
The launch took place at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park as part of the First Minister’s trade mission to east Asia.
Ms Sturgeon said: “This is the first education institution in the world to establish a low-carbon research and innovation centre in another country and I am delighted that it is a Scottish university that is leading the way and setting the standard.
“Like the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, the University of Edinburgh has a world-class reputation and I’m confident that this relationship will help provide Scottish companies with a route into Hong Kong and, through its strong links with China, act as a gateway into China.”
The centre led by the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) will employ five staff recruited from Scotland and Hong Kong.
The ECCI is based at High School Yards, formerly Edinburgh’s Old High School, which underwent a £10.5 million refurbishment to become one of the UK’s most energy efficient historic buildings.
Edinburgh University principal Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea said: “This is a great example of a collaborative working relationship between educational institutions and business on a global scale.
“The new carbon innovation centre will help foster productive working practices between policy, community and business leaders in order to support and deliver workable solutions for a low carbon future.”
Earlier this week it was revealed the energy taskforce would be continuing its work after an initial six-month start-up.
The decline in oil price and its effect on jobs in the North Sea prompted a call to action by both the Scottish Government and industry leaders.