This paper constructs a non-competition input-output table, calculates the carbon emission data in China from 1992 to 2012, and analyzes the structural characteristics of its emissions using the EIO-LCA method. The results show that, in general, China’s carbon emission shows a fast rising trend. From the view of department structure, in 1992–2012, the main reason for the growth of carbon emissions in China was the large increase in investment activities, exports and the consumption of urban residents. Investment activities accounted for 55.83% of the total increment of the final demand, and the embodied emissions were mainly in the sector 28 (Construction). Exports accounted for 24.38% of the total final demand. The embodied emissions were mainly concentrated in the manufacturing industry. In general, China’s exports contain higher carbon emissions. The consumption of urban residents accounted for 14.99% of the total increment of the final demand. The embodied emissions were mainly concentrated in sector 25 (Production and distribution of electric power and heat power). In 1992–2012, the growth rate of sector 28, 17 (Manufacture of general and special purpose machinery) and 35 (Other services) was the most obvious, and the three accounted for 60.45% of the total increment. In addition, the carbon emissions of sector 22 (Other manufacturing), 2 (Mining and washing of coal), 5 (Mining and processing of nonmetal ores), 3 (Extraction of petroleum and natural gas) and 8 (Manufacture of textiles) maintained a downward trend.
