Thechemical nature of copper and copper oxide (Cu2O) surfaces in the presence of CO2 and H2O at room temperature was investigated using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The studies reveal that in the presence of 0.1 torr CO2 several species form on the initially clean Cu, including carbonate CO32-, CO2 delta- and C-0, while no modifications occur on an oxidized Surface. The addition of 0.1 ML Zn to the Cu results in the complete conversion of CO2 delta- to carbonate. In a mixture of 0.1 torr H2O and 0.1 torr CO2, new species are formed, including hydroxyl, formate and methoxy. with H2O providing the hydrogen needed for the formation of hydrogenated species.