Abstract: Solar thermal catalytic reduction technology is an important and emerging technical route for car⁃bon dioxide utilization, and different catalysts can realize the conversion of CO2 to CO, CH4, HCOOH,MeOH and synthetic gas. During the conversion process, the condition of light-induced hot-electron, aswell as the heating system in a certain thermal environment is also affected by photo-thermal conversion ef⁃ficiency, material selectivity, and system structure and working parameters, which directly determines theoverall conversion efficiency. This article analyzes the scientific and technological issues, challenges, andneeds relating to thermal-driven CO2 catalytic conversion. The reaction thermodynamics and dynamic mech⁃anisms of CO2 thermochemical conversion, as well as major progress in the development of new reactors andmaterials, are systematically summarized. It is pointed out that considering the matching energy spectrumcharacteristics and light combining thermal catalysts could achieve a high conversion rate and highselectivity under low energy input conditions. CO2 hydrogenation to C1+ and C2+ fuels production can effec⁃tively expand the scale of solar photo-thermal coupling utilization, and making it in line with the chemicalindustry has important research values and broad application prospects.