An international perspective on carbon peaking status between a sample of 154 countries

The climate change triggered by carbon emissions has significantly impacted the sustainable development of human society. In line with the understanding on the importance of carbon reduction attached by the international community, most countries have set targets for carbon neutrality. The timing of the carbon peak is crucial for assisting countries in progressing towards the objective of carbon neutrality. This study examines the different carbon peak statuses between a sample of 154 countries in terms of carbon intensity, carbon emissions per capita and total carbon emissions. The data analyzed were collected over the period from 1990 to 2020. This study proposed an innovative two-procedure research method for distinguishing whether a country's carbon emissions have peaked, in which the Mann-Kendall trend test and Tapio decoupling model were applied interactively. The peaking statuses are divided into three types: true peaked, false peaked, and under peaked. The findings indicate that most of the sample countries have achieved the true peaked status of carbon intensity, and nearly one third of them in the true peaked status of carbon emissions per capita. Only a few countries in the true peaked status of total carbon emissions. Countries with higher income levels achieved true peaked status earlier in terms of carbon intensity, carbon emissions per capita and total carbon emissions. Countries with a false peaked status are mostly affected by multiple factors across economic, social and political dimensions.