Abstract: Plant cellulose-based carbon aerogel has the characteristics of low density, biodegradable, excellent adsorption and stable electrochemical properties. This paper analyzed the performance and development of plant cellulose-based carbon aerogels around its raw material, preparation process and application in environmental management and energy storage and transformation. The preparation methods of plant cellulose-based carbon aerogels of cotton, wood, bamboo fiber and other raw materials were described in detail, such as sol gel method, hydrothermal method, direct carbonization method, etc. The factors of drying method, solvent selection and replacement and composite modification during preparation were analyzed. And the applications of carbon aerogel in air cleaning, oil water separation, removal of toxic compound and heavy metal ion, environmental governance and energy conversion and storage were introduced.