<p>In the pursuit of sustainable materials for next-generation energy storage, the coconut palm represents a uniquely circular biomass system capable of delivering both hard and soft carbons from a single plant source. The components exhibit distinct lignin-to-cellulose ratios, which critically determine carbon purity, graphitizability, and electrochemical behavior. This review consolidates the current understanding of coconut-derived carbons with a focus on their structural evolution during carbonization and activation, the resulting pore architectures, and their performance in batteries and supercapacitors. Hard carbons derived from cellulose-rich precursors exhibit disordered microstructures with high durability and ion-storage capability, while lignin-rich components yield soft, partially graphitized carbons offering superior conductivity and rate performance in supercapacitors. The effects of carbonization temperature, activating agents, and electrolyte composition on pore distribution, surface functionality, and charge-storage mechanism are systematically analyzed. These carbons can have surface areas up to ~ 3000 m²·g^− 1, specific capacitances up to ~ 600&#xa0;F·g^− 1 in supercapacitors, and battery capacities up tp ~ 292 mAh·g^− 1. Beyond performance, the study highlights the global potential of coconut palm waste, which is estimated at ~ 15 Mt y^− 1 carbon yield, as a low-carbon feedstock for high-value electrochemical materials. By linking compositional chemistry with electrochemical function, this review underscores coconut palm as a scalable, sustainable and renewable carbon resource for developing circular energy-storage technologies.</p>