Based on city-level panel data from 2006 to 2021 in China, this study considers the “National Comprehensive Pilot of New Urbanization” policy as a quasi-natural experiment and employs a multiperiod double-difference model to empirically investigate the impact of this pilot policy on urban carbon emissions. The findings demonstrate that the new-type urbanization pilot policy (NTUPP) significantly reduces carbon emissions in cities. Moreover, this emission reduction effect is more pronounced in central and western regions, non-resource-based cities, and cities with high levels of residents’ environmental awareness. The comprehensive pilot policy for new-type urbanization has effectively decreased urban carbon emissions by promoting industrial structure transformation and upgrading, enhancing green innovation capacity, and improving energy efficiency. Further investigation reveals that the carbon emission reduction effect of NTUPP will be strengthened with improvements in regional environmental regulation intensity and informatization level.