Co-BaCO 3 catalysts exhibited high catalytic performance for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODE) using CO 2 as oxidant. The maximal formation rate of C 2 H 4 was 0.264 mmol AE min )1 AE (g AE cat.) )1 (48.0% C 2 H 6 conversion, 92.2% C 2 H 4 selectivity, 44.3% C 2 H 4 yield) on 7 wt% Co-BaCO 3 catalyst at 650°C and 6000 ml. (g AE cat.) )1 . h )1 . Co-BaCO 3 catalysts were comparatively characterized by XRF, N 2 isotherm adsorption-desorption, XRD, H 2 -TPR and LRs. It was found that Co 4+ -O species were active sites on these catalysts in ODE with CO 2 . The redox cycle of Co-O species played an important role on the catalytic performance of Co-BaCO 3 catalysts. On the other hand, the co-operation of BaCO 3 and BaCoO 3 was considered to be one of possible reasons for the high catalytic activity of these catalysts.