Abstract: This article studies what effects the changes of industrial structure have on carbon intensity through the establishment of a panel data model of 29 provinces in China from 1995 to 2010 in the rationalization and high-class of the industrial structures. Nationwide, the rationalization and high-class of the industrial structure have significant impacts on the intensity of carbon emissions; specifically, the industrial high-class structure in the east contributes to carbon emission reduction goals, while in the central and western regions industry rationalization of industrial structure plays a significant role in carbon emission reduction. Therefore, this article suggests that different regions choose the paths of changing industrial structure according to local conditions, and actively promote the construction of carbon emission trading market and the decomposition of carbon emission targets.