The electrochemical reduction of CO2 in 0.1 M KOH-methanol electrolyte with a silver electrode was investigated at 248, 258 and 273 K. The main products from CO2 were carbon monoxide and formic acid. A predominant formation of CO from CO2 on Ag electrode in the methanol electrolyte was found. The formation efficiency of CO increased at relatively negative potential as temperature decreased, however in contrast, hydrogen formation decreased. The selectivity of CO2 reduction over H-2 evolution was ameliorated by lowering temperature. From the Tafel plot study, a sufficiently high mass transfer of CO2 to the electrode was confirmed even in low temperature region. Consequently, it was found that low temperature was extremely effective for the depression of hydrogen formation on Ag electrode in the KOH-methanol. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.