Based on the scientific calculation of carbon emissions from energy consumption in Nanjing, this paper analyzed the driving forces of carbon emissions from 2000 to 2016 by using the stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology (STIRPAT) model. The results show that from 2000 to 2016, the energy carbon emissions of Nanjing were on the rise; the urbanization rate, population, GDP per capita, and energy intensity had a significant positive impact on the growth of carbon emissions in Nanjing, China. Based on this, we presented five development scenarios to analyze the future trend of carbon emissions of the city. By contrast, the growth rate of carbon emissions from energy consumption is the slowest when the population maintains a low growth rate and the GDP per capita and technical level maintain high growth. This indicates a better urban development strategy in which industrial restructuring must be associated with talent structure adjustment to decarbonize the urban economy, and the extensive urban sprawl development approach might need to be changed.