In the step of regenerating a carbon dioxide capturing material, the amount of a regeneration gas to be supplied to a carbon dioxide recovery column is reduced to offer higher energy efficiency and to shorten the time taken to perform the regeneration step. A carbon dioxide recovery apparatus includes a carbon dioxide sorbing column, a heating unit, and first, second, and third channels. The carbon dioxide sorbing column contains a carbon dioxide capturing material. The heating unit heats the carbon dioxide capturing material. A carbon-dioxide-containing gas is introduced via the first channel into the carbon dioxide sorbing column. The regeneration gas is introduced via the second channel into the carbon dioxide sorbing column. A gaseous mixture containing a gas desorbed from the carbon dioxide capturing material is recovered via the third channel. In the apparatus, the heating unit preheats the carbon dioxide capturing material, and then the regeneration gas is introduced into the carbon dioxide sorbing column to recover carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide capturing material.