Methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide hydrogenation was studied over ceria/gamma-alumina- and yttria-doped ceria (YDC)/gamma-alumina-supported copper oxide catalysts to seek insight into the catalysis at metal-support interfaces. It was found that, in comparison with Cu/gamma-Al2O3, the Cu/CeO2/gamma-Al2O3 and Cu/YDC/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts exhibited substantial enhancement in activity and selectivity toward methanol formation. The extent of enhancement was augmented by increased ceria loading on gamma-alumina and with increased yttria doping into ceria. The enhancement is inferred to result from the synergistic effect between copper oxide and surface oxygen vacancies of ceria.