Hierarchical porous carbons (HPCs) were successfully synthesized using green and relatively low-cost materials as carbon source. The template of the macro- and large meso-pores was nickel hydroxide obtained from the reaction between sodium hydroxide and nickel nitrate, while the micro- and small meso-pores were formed during the dissipation of the gases produced in the reaction process. Different carbon sources were used for the formation of HPCs, and sucrose proved to be the best which had a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 829 m(2)/g. Besides, a possible mechanism for the formation of HPCs was hypothesized.