File Photo:VCG

A solar energy design competition  kicked off in Beijing on Wednesday, as part of an effort to invite younger generations to discuss the carbon neutrality path in architecture and new energy technology innovations under the current situation to face climate change in China.

The competition, Solar Decathlon China, themed after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games this year and is co-hosted by the Zhangjiakou government and the China Overseas Development Association.

In the competition, university students from all over the world will design and build eco-friendly low-energy houses powered by solar energy.

Fifteen works from the competition will be showcased in Zhangjiakou in September and October. People will have a chance to live in the designed houses powered only by clean energy for 24 hours, according to Li Ang, secretary-general of the competition committee.

Climate change has been defined as a non-traditional security concern in China, said Tian Danyu, vice director at the office of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation on Wednesday. Through a competition that has young people involved could increase the society's ability to confront climate change, said Tian.

China has set targets to reach carbon emissions peak in around 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.