In fighting climate change, renewable energy is poised to play an essential role to displace the use of fossil resources for covering our primary energy demand. Due to its intermittent nature, it is essential to store renewable energy. Doing so in chemical bonds is not only very efficient but also offers opportunities to convert CO2 waste into chemicals. In this project, the researchers develop novel catalysts for the reaction of CO2 with renewable H2 to methanol. For this purpose, a surface science approach will be followed in which thin oxide films will form the support to metal atoms, cluster and nanoparticles. Understanding the complex chemistry taking place at the interface between the metal and the support is envisioned to open new opportunities for tailoring the design of the next generation of efficient catalysts for storage of renewable energy.