[Objective] The temporal and spatial variation of carbon emissions due to land use changes and the factors influencing carbon emissions in Yunnan Province were analyzed in order to provide a theoretical basis for optimizing land use structure and achieving the low-carbon development goal in Yunnan Province. [Methods] Carbon emissions for Yunnan Province were calculated based on land use and fossil energy consumption data in Yunnan Province in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Spatial visualization and spatial autocorrelation were used to study the temporal and spatial variation and spatial agglomeration characteristics of carbon emissions in the past 15 years. The influencing factors were analyzed by geographical detectors. [Results] (1) From 2005 to 2020, the area of construction land in Yunnan Province increased the most, with a dynamic change of 7.90%. (2) Regional net carbon emissions increased rapidly, with an annual increase of 6.5%. The spatial pattern of carbon emissions was characterized as "high in the central region and low in the surrounding area". The carbon footprint increased significantly during the study period, and the carbon ecological carrying capacity was relatively stable, resulting in an increasing carbon ecological deficit. (3) Population size, economic level, industrial structure, land use, etc. promoted the increase in carbon emissions for cities and counties around Yunnan Province. [Conclusion] Measures should be taken in the future to protect or reasonably increase the area of carbon sinks (such as forest land) and to strengthen dynamic monitoring, control the area of construction land and total energy consumption, explore the carbon compensation mechanism, and employ the radiation effect of carbon sink areas.