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Environ Resource Econ (2011) 48:4358
DOI 10.1007/s10640-010-9396-z
Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh
Accepted: 29 July 2010 / Published online: 30 August 2010 The Author(s) 2010. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Abstract This article sketches the problem of indirect energy use effects, also known as rebound, of energy conservation. There is widespread support for energy conservation, especially when it is voluntary, as this seems a cheap way to realize environmental and energy-climate goals. However, this overlooks the phenomenon of rebound. The topic of energy rebound has mainly attracted attention from energy analysts, but has been surprisingly neglected in environmental economics, even though economists generally are concerned with indirect or economy-wide impacts of technical change and policies. This paper presents definitions and interpretations of energy and environmental rebound, as well as four fundamental reasons for the existence of the rebound phenomenon. It further offers the most complete list of rebound pathways or mechanisms available in the literature. In addition, it discusses empirical estimates of rebound and addresses the implications of uncertainties and difculties in assessing rebound. Suggestions are offered for strategies and public policies to contain rebound. It is advised that rebound evaluation is an essential part of environmental policy and project assessments. As opposed to earlier studies, this paper stresses the relevance of the distinction between energy conservation resulting from autonomous demand
J. C. J. M. van den Bergh
ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
J. C. J. M. van den Bergh (B)
Department of Economics and Economic History, & Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona, Edici Cn - Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Cerdanyola, Spain e-mail: [email protected]
J. C. J. M. van den Bergh
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, & Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. C. J. M. van den Bergh
Fellow of Tinbergen Institute,Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. C. J. M. van den Bergh
Fellow of NAKE, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Energy Conservation More Effective With Rebound Policy
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44 J. C. J. M. van den Bergh
changes and from efciency improvements in technology/equipment. In addition, it argues that rebound is especially relevant for developing countries.
Keywords Backre Developing countries Jevons paradox
Rebound mechanisms Relieving limits Tradable permits
JEL Classications Q43 Q48 Q54...