SHANGHAI - A college focusing on low carbon studies was inaugurated Thursday in Shanghai, a cooperation project by universities in Shanghai and the United Kingdom.

The China-U.K. Low Carbon College of Shanghai Jiaotong University will build a cluster of high-end talent, industry and technology in the low carbon field, said Huang Zhen, vice president of the university.

The University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London and University College London participated in founding of the college.

Students will complete a 2 1/2 year course of study, with majors including the management, financing, capture and storage of carbon and sustainable energy systems.

Those who meet academic and language requirements will study at the University of Edinburgh for a second master's degree during the sophomore year, said Huang.

The first class of the students will begin studies in September.

China aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 60 percent to 65 percent from the 2005 level by 2030.