Scotland could become a world leader in providing the technology and knowledge to fight global warming.

That is the prediction from Dr David Reay, who has established the World's first course to study carbon management, at the University of Edinburgh.  

Forty students have been the first to enrol on what is a truly ground-breaking course.  Incorporating elements of science, law, business management and ethics, the Carbon Management course will give the students a wide range of skills.

But it is not just the students who will benefit from this course.

As efforts to fight global warming become ever more pressing, their expertise will become increasingly important for all of us.

said: "Climate change right now is an issue which is affecting the whole world, no matter where you are from, no matter what activity you take part in because other people's activities will impact on you, so what we do now will not only impact on us but on all the generations of the future as well all around the world."

With the Scottish Government having just published an ambitious Climate Change Bill, the man who is leading the carbon management course, and has written several books on climate change, believes Scotland has huge potential.

Dr David Reay said: "Our resources in terms of renewables wind, marine, biomass, we've got lots, a huge potential. We've also got massive resource in terms of expertise so people like the Carbon Masters, but more generally we've got expertise in carbon capture and storage, we're world leaders in carbon capture and storage.

"We've got great expertise in renewable energy great expertise in land use as well, so if you are going to meet a big target, and it is a substantial target, Scotland will be the place that can do it if anywhere can."

With Edinburgh University having recently set up a Climate Change Centre to allow academics to interact more effectively with business leaders and politicians, the capital is likely to remain a leader in the battle against global warming.