Metal oxide-supported noble metal catalysts have been confirmed to be highly efficient and green in catalytic degradation of VOCs at low temperature and high concentration. Understanding the interaction between the noble metal and various oxide supports is crucial in improving catalytic performance. Herein, lattice doped Ce-Co composite oxide (Ce0.5Co0.5) has been used to support PdO species for the decomposition of ethyl acetate (EA). The catalytic activity of the supported PdO catalyst at a feed rate R (140) A degrees C = 1.38 x 10(-4) mol g(cat) (-1) s(- 1) was enhanced compared with that of the support at a feed rate R (140) A degrees C = 0.75 x 10(-4) mol g(cat) (-1) s(- 1). The enhanced catalytic activity of the Ce/Co-supported noble metal catalyst (PdO/Ce0.5Co0.5) is attributed to the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI). The effect of PdO addition and its interaction with the support has been investigated by a set of comprehensive characterization technologies on an elaborately-designed model catalytic system. In addition, in-situ DRIFT analysis shows that no harmful intermediate product, such as aldehydes other than alcohols and acetate is produced during the reaction, suggesting this promising green approach. [GRAPHICS]