As a two-dimensional carbon material with unique structure and properties, graphene shows a good application prospect in the process of CO2 reduction and conversion. Searching for abundant carbonaceous precursors and controllable preparation methods of graphene is the basis for its large-scale application. As a promising mineral resource with rich carbon, coal contains abundant functional groups and high aromatic nano graphite microcrystalline structure. Using coal and its derivatives as carbon sources to prepare high value-added graphene materials has unique advantages, which is an important way to realize the clean utilization of coal and the low-cost practical application of graphene. Based on the chemical composition and structure of different rank coals,  researchers have successfully achieved the controllable preparation of a series of multi-scale and multi-form coal-based graphene materials through appropriate molecular tailoring and chemical structure assembly. Common preparation strategies include: mechanical cleavage and exfoliation, chemical intercalation oxidation, electrochemical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, anodic arc discharge and liquid-phase self-assembly, etc. For example, zero dimensional graphene quantum dots are prepared by chemical oxidation or ultrasonic physical tailoring of coal macromolecular structure. Two dimensional graphene films are prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon containing hydrocarbon small molecule gas obtained from coal pyrolysis. Two-dimensional graphene nanosheets are obtained by physical or chemical exfoliation after graphitization of coal at high temperature. Three dimensional graphene aeroneneneba gels are prepared by structural self-assembly of two-dimensional graphene. Because the composition and surface structure of coal-based graphene are easy to regulate and modify, the coal-based graphene shows good catalytic activity in the process of CO2 reduction. By summarizing the latest research of coal-based graphene series materials in the process of CO2 reduction using photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis, it is considered that coal-based graphene can effectively improve the efficiency and selectivity of CO2 reduction process by increasing the reaction active sites and changing the surface structure of the catalyst. Finally, the control of the composition and structure of coal-based graphene and the structural design of CO2 reduction catalyst were prospected.