2Ru/x%La-ZrO2 catalysts with different lanthanum contents (x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 10.0) were prepared by the deposition precipitation method and were characterized by XRD, BET surface area, CO chemisorption, CO2-TPD, NH3-TPD, TEM and XPS to determine the effect of lanthanum modification on the catalyst. Then these catalysts were used in the hydrogenolysis of glycerol in the aqueous phase at 190 °C for 8 h. It was found that the lanthanum modification could significantly improve the catalytic efficiency and the 2Ru/1.0%La-ZrO2 catalyst had the highest glycerol conversion and the strongest C–C cleavage ability. The comparison of the catalytic performances of individual catalysts with their physico-chemical characteristics led to the conclusion that the formation of Ruδ− particles, the better dispersion and the improvement of surface acidity and alkalinity had the highest potential for the improvement of the catalytic efficiency. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the reaction over the 2Ru/1.0%La-ZrO2 catalyst obtained the highest EG selectivity 55% and a good conversion of glycerol in less reaction time.