Global warming has brought about enormous damage, therefore, some scholars have begun to conduct in-depth research on peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. In this paper, based on the background of China’s upgrading industrial structure and energy structure, we establish a delayed two-dimensional differential equation model associated with China’s adjustment of industrial structure. Firstly, we analyze the existence of the equilibrium for the model. We also analyze the characteristic roots of the characteristic equation at each equilibrium point for the model, then, we analyze the stability of the equilibrium point for the model according to the characteristic root, and discuss the existence of Hopf bifurcation of the system by using bifurcation theory. Secondly, we derive the normal form of Hopf bifurcation by using the multiple time scales method. Then, through the official real data, we present the range of some parameters in the model, and determine a set of parameters by reasonable analysis. The validity of the theoretical results is verified by numerical simulations. Finally, we use the real data to forecast the time of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutralization. Eventually, we put forward some suggestions based on the current situation of carbon emission and absorption in China, such as planting trees to increase the growth rate of carbon absorption, deepening industrial reform and optimizing energy structure to reduce carbon emissions.

The increase of carbon emissions accelerates global warming and causes environmental problems. Therefore, research on emission peak and carbon neutrality is of broad interest. In this paper, based on the relationships among carbon emissions, carbon absorption and urban population growth, a delayed differential equations model is established. Then, we analyze the existence and stability of a positive equilibrium point of the system and substitute the data for simulations. Eventually, according to theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, some suggestions for China to achieve the goal of emission peak and carbon neutrality are given.