China issues smog alert as climate summit gets underway

By Katie Hunt, CNN
Updated 0800 GMT (1600 HKT) November 30, 2015

China's demand for energy choking the capital

China's demand for energy choking the capital 02:45

Story highlights

  • Beijing issues "orange" alert, highest this year
  • Residents in areas of northern China told to stay indoors
  • U.S. Embassy says AQI is "beyond index"
(CNN)Residents in northern China have been told stay indoors after air pollution in Beijing and neighboring regions rose to hazardous levels.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency said that authorities issued an "orange" alert on Sunday, the highest of the year and second only to red.
Both photos, taken from CNN's Beijing Bureau, shows the city choked in smog on November 27, 2015, and the same view on a blue sky day just the day before.
Both photos, taken from CNN's Beijing Bureau, shows the city choked in smog on November 27, 2015, and the same view on a blue sky day just the day before.
And on Monday, according to the U.S. Embassy, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 568 in Beijing or "beyond index." A reading of more than 100 is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The smog alert comes as global leaders arrive in Paris for the COP21 climate summit. President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with President Barack Obama on Monday morning.
China, which is the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, aims to have its emissions peak by 2030.
    Most of the country's carbon emissions come from burning coal -- to heat homes and to fuel power plants -- and this spikes during the cold winter months.
    The smog is expected to disperse on Wednesday when a cold front arrives.
    Roads and buildings in Baoding, China are seen shrouded in heavy smog on November 30, 2015, where the air quality index (AQI) has reached a 'hazardous' level.
    Roads and buildings in Baoding, China are seen shrouded in heavy smog on November 30, 2015, where the air quality index (AQI) has reached a 'hazardous' level.

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