In recent years, much attention has been paid to the chemical utilization of carbon dioxide because it is one of the green house gases and is considered a recyclable, abundant, and non-toxic C1 resource. The synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides is one of the most effective routes for chemical utilization of carbon dioxide as a C1 building block. The latest progress in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides was reviewed, and the catalytic reaction mechanism was discussed.