LONDON -- A joint research institute has been launched by Britain's University of Birmingham and China's Nankai University to tackle global green challenges.

Delegates from the Chinese university traveled to Birmingham this week to meet their British counterparts and define the next steps for the institute in addressing issues across the green economy and sustainable development.

Led by vice president Professor Tong Jiadong, the Nankai delegation met the University of Birmingham's Vice-Chancellor David Eastwood as part of the formal launch of the Joint Research Institute on Green Economy and Sustainable Development.

Meetings with experts across the University of Birmingham helped members of the new joint institute map out how they will work on a range of environmental health challenges, including air quality control; nanomaterials, micro-plastics and other emerging pollutants; and strategies for dealing with air, soil and water pollution.

Professor David Eastwood said: "Our two universities have established a global research institute, which we believe will produce high-profile work that will improve the environment and the health of millions of people in China and around the world.

"We are delighted to welcome our partners from Nankai to the University of Birmingham and begin our research journey into the effects of climate change and pollution, which will help policy-makers respond efficiently to the challenges we face."

The joint research institute will allow research activities in interdisciplinary areas, faculty exchange, and joint PhD education.

Tong said: "Our partnership with Birmingham will create research and teaching collaborations that allow our students to pursue academic achievement at a top British university, whilst our academics help to solve a host of environmental problems facing China and the wider world."

Researchers from Nankai and Birmingham will evaluate the impact of China's green policies, as well as how policies can be improved and examining links between inequality and environmental challenges.

The joint project brings together research excellence between the two universities to allow cross-disciplinary research in global challenge topics.

It will also establish a hub of postgraduate education and research training, pursuing research funding opportunities in China and Britain and speeding up the development of new and sustainable industries in both countries.