The Scottish Government has awarded £1million funding towards a global project to identify ways of protecting the environment in a profitable way.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the support for the Solar Impulse Foundation's efforts to identify 1,000 solutions that will protect the environment while also returning a profit.

The government investment is being coupled with an agreement to work towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in the fight against climate change.

The First Minister said: "It is a moral obligation on all of us – governments, businesses and individuals – to do what we can to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change.

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"One of the ways we can do that is by identifying different ways of doing things, ways that do not impact negatively on our planet.

"Scotland has a proud history of innovation and we are well placed to use those skills to uncover alternatives to products and practices that currently harm our environment. As such, I'm very pleased that we are going to be able to work with the Solar Impulse Foundation in their future efforts."

Bertrand Piccard, CEO of the Solar Impulse Foundation, said: "The fight against climate change will take boldness and ambition. Scotland is currently paving the way in showing what these notions mean in concrete action. Their legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should be an example.

"Moreover, this collaboration between Scotland and the Solar Impulse Foundation shows how governments and society at large can get together to bring concrete solutions. I am proud to partner with Scotland, and to send a message of hope for our planet."