Here, we have investigated how coordination induces CO2 fixation into a carbonate using a cationic yttrium oxide model catalyst. The infrared spectra show that the first three CO2 molecules are weakly bound to the metal. Subsequent coordination of CO2 ligands leads to the formation of a carbonate complex and results in a core ion transition. The conversion of Y = O and CO2 to carbonate is achieved by the donation of electrons from the ligands to the metal. Systematic analyses of the effects of different ligands and metals on the coordination-induced CO2 fixation demonstrate that the present system serves as an efficient and rational model for adjusting CO2 fixation and CO2 emission.