Abstract: The proposal of "carbon emissions peak" and "carbon neutralization" strategies indicates that China's carbon emission reduction initiative has upgraded from intensity-oriented control to volume-oriented control. Based on the description of the carbon emissions peaking curve and the estimation of the total carbon allowance from 2021 to 2030, a competitive grouping allocation method of carbon allowance under the carbon peak target is proposed. This method follows the practise of the carbon allowance management organization to set flexible standards, which allow each province to compete for carbon quotas in such a manner as to maximize its own interests, and the resultant grouping allocation combines provinces' different preferences for allocation criteria into an organic whole. Compared with the unified standard, the flexible standards are more in line with China's actual situation where the socioeconomic development model and level vary from province to province. This paper makes an empirical analysis on the carbon allowance allocation of 30 provinces and regions in China, which provides a reference for the quantitative management, the decomposition of provincial responsibilities and the "common but differentiated" zoning management and control of the China's carbon peak goal.

Key words: peak carbon dioxide emissions, carbon allowance, competitive grouping allocation