The catalytic reduction of carbon mono- and di-oxide is a process that is effectively exploited in nature to synthesize energy vectors. Applicative devices based on heterogeneous (electro)-catalytic conversion may be inspired by biomimetic approaches. However, atomic level insight into the reaction mechanisms in order to yield engineering opportunities requires combined experimental and theoretical investigations at different levels of complexity, thus crossing over material and pressure gaps back and forth. Starting from surface science investigations of the interaction of carbon dioxide with single crystal surfaces under ultra-high vacuum conditions, selected case studies will be presented, ending with single-atom and solid-liquid catalytic phases. In particular, I will illustrate results that were obtained by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and IR-Vis SFG vibrational spectroscopy and corroborated by STM imaging and ab initio simulations.