Abstract: Carbon materials for the room-temperature selective oxidation of H₂S have attracted growing attention in recent years. The recent development of carbon-based desulfurization catalysts is reviewed, including activated carbon modified by alkalis, porous carbon doped with nitrogen or modified with functional groups, and carbon composites with other species such as alkaline metal oxides. The oxidation mechanisms for H₂S on the various catalysts are discussed, and the important function of carbon in desulfurization are emphasized, including its large specific area, porous structure and adjustable surface chemistry. In addition to the catalytic oxidation of H₂S, the extended use of the spent catalysts, sulfur/carbon composites, as sulfur cathode materials for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries, is discussed as a way to add extra value to the sulfur-containing pollutants. Finally, the outlook for using carbon-based materials for room-temperature desulfurization and the key challenges to its large-scale use are explored.