The decomposition of carbon dioxide was studied in an argon plasma jet, generated by a directcurrent arc discharge. The decomposition degree of carbon dioxide was up to 0,4 at an effective energy consumption lower than 1 MJ/mole GO. The efficiency of high-temperature decomposition of carbon dioxide t.o carbon monoxide and oxygen is essentially dependent both on the quenching intensity of the products, which prevents from the reverse oxidation reaction in the system, as well as on the proper conditions of plesma-sitbst,rate mixing.