| Summary: | The synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and epoxides is a 100% atom economical reaction and an attractive pathway for CO<sub>2</sub> utilisation. Because CO<sub>2</sub> is a thermodynamically stable molecule, the use of catalysts is mandatory in reducing the activation energy of the CO<sub>2</sub> conversion. Considering environmental compatibility and the high-efficiency catalytic conversion of CO<sub>2</sub>, there is the strong need to develop green catalysts. Biomass-based catalysts, a type of renewable resource, have attracted considerable attention due to their unique properties—non-toxic, low-cost, pollution-free, etc. In this review, recent advances in the development of biomass-based catalysts for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by CO<sub>2</sub> and epoxides coupling are summarized and discussed in detail. The effect of biomass-based catalysts, functional groups, reaction conditions, and co-catalysts on the catalytic efficiency and selectivity of synthesizing cyclic carbonates process is discussed. We intend to provide a comprehensive understanding of recent experimental and theoretical progress of CO<sub>2</sub> and epoxides coupling reaction and pave the way for both CO<sub>2</sub> conversion and biomass unitization.
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