Abstract: The technique of gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) has obtained significant development since 1970s. The development make it possible to measure the compoundspecific isotope ratio of lipid biomarkers in organic matters. This paper presents the development in sample preparation (extration and separation), improvement of the instruments and analytical methods of GC-IRMS, and its applications in the research on paleoclimate and paleoenvironment reconstruction.