Schools in New Delhi closed for a week due to air pollution, angry U-turn in India for COP deal

Schools in New Delhi have been closed for a week due to severe air pollution in the Indian capital.

Often considered the world’s most polluted capital, schools will move to virtual learning as pollution clouds over the city.

The city government will work from home for a week and private companies have also been advised to do the same.

On November 14 and 17, construction has also been banned in the city.

According to the Federal Pollution Control Board of India, air pollution in New Delhi is currently 470-499 on a scale of 500.

According to the Federal Pollution Control Board of India, New Delhi’s score on the Air Quality Index currently ranges from 470-499 on a scale of 500.

National Capital Territory of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in an emergency press conference on Saturday: ‘Virtual classes will continue so that children do not have to come out and breathe polluted air’.

The emergency comes as Indian PM Narendra Modi was involved in undermining the climate deal signed in Cop26, for which Cop President Alok Sharma shed tears while announcing the deal.

The Glasgow Pact was created after lobbying from India and China to change from ‘Phase Out’ to ‘Phase Down’ with the words on a section covering unburned coal – without technology mitigating climate change burning coal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been criticized by European nations for diluting the language of the Glasgow Treaty regarding the burning of coal without coal.

The change has sparked angry reactions from European and climate-sensitive countries.

Emissions from coal-fired power plants are currently contributing to the pollution in Delhi.

The pollution is so bad that it is potentially dangerous to otherwise healthy people rather than people with pre-existing conditions.