A novel carbon-based solid acid catalyst has been synthesized via a sustainable route, by using glycerol, a byproduct in biodiesel production, as a precursor. The newly obtained catalyst is glycerol-derived and amorphous with irregular morphology and mesoporous structure. For both biodiesel production and glycerol utilization, it demonstrates as promising. Compared with amberlyst-15, the commonly used one, the new catalyst has shown highly catalytic activity and recycling performance in esterification of oleic acid and transesterification of triolein. The highly catalytic activity of the catalyst for biodiesel production can be mainly attributed to the high density of acidic -SO3H groups and hydrophilic groups on its surface.