The growth of urbanization and intensive human activities has resulted in a steady increase in urban carbon emissions, posing specific repercussions and difficulties to the human environment and sustainable development. Based on the local climate zone (LCZ) system, we investigated the type and spatial distribution characteristics of the LCZ, as well as the geographic distribution traits of carbon emission performance in Chongqing's central area, and then examined the spatial correlation between the two variables. The results of the study show that: ①a total of 14 LCZ types were identified in the central area of Chongqing, including eight built landscape-type LCZ types and six natural cover type LCZ types; ②the main source of carbon emissions is the indirect carbon emissions from the construction land, and the total amount of carbon emissions in the central urban area of Chongqing is overall high; the spatial distribution of the carbon emission performance level is unbalanced, presenting a high in the central part of the spatial pattern around the low; ③overall, the LCZ and carbon emission performance in the central urban area of Chongqing have a negative spatial correlation. Among them, the built landscape-type LCZ and carbon emission performance were positively correlated spatially. Except for the two categories of LCZE rock/hardened ground and LCZF bare soil/sand, the remaining natural cover LCZ types had a negative correlation with carbon emission performance. The findings of this study can be used to guide Chongqing Municipality's green, low-carbon, and sustainable development, as well as the creation of differentiated emission reduction and efficiency strategies in other Western Chinese cities.