Zirconium based metal-organic gels are obtained through a rapid method at room temperature, employing green solvents, in which the role of water is important. These porous materials, decorated with Brønsted acid sites, show outstanding thermal and chemical stability prompting them as stable catalyst in the continuous electroreduction of CO2. Zirconium based metal-organic gels are obtained through a green and rapid method at room temperature in which the role of water seems to be crucial. Display omitted •Green and rapid method for achieving zirconium based metal-organic gels (MOGs) at room temperature.•Porous structure with thermal and chemical stability together with Brønsted acid sites.•Zr-MOGs as electrodes in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formic acid.