Energy efficiency and consumption — the rebound effect — a survey
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of some of the relevant literature from the US offers definitions and identifies sources including direct, secondary, and economy-wide sources and concludes that the range of estimates for the size of the rebound effect is very low to moderate.
About: This article is published in Energy Policy.The article was published on 2000-06-01. It has received 1867 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Rebound effect (conservation) & Energy consumption.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provided fuel price elasticity estimates for single-unit truck activity, defined as vehicles on a single frame with either (1) at least two axles and six tires; or (2) a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 lb.
Abstract: This paper provides fuel price elasticity estimates for single-unit truck activity, where single-unit trucks are defined as vehicles on a single frame with either (1) at least two axles and six tires; or (2) a gross vehicle weight greater than 10,000 lb. Using data from 1980 to 2012, this paper applies first-difference and error correction models and finds that single-unit truck activity is sensitive to certain macroeconomic and infrastructure factors (gross domestic product, lane miles expansion, and housing construction), but is not sensitive to diesel fuel prices. These results suggest that fuel price elasticities of single unit truck activity are inelastic. These results may be used by policymakers in considering policies that have a direct impact on fuel prices, or policies whose effects may be equivalent to fuel price adjustments.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the estimated emissions rebound of carbon dioxide and criteria pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX ), using results from the EPA's power sector model, under the ACE in 2030 at model coal plants and at the state and national levels compared to both no policy and the CPP.
Abstract: The Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed replacement of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), targets heat rate improvements (HRIs) at individual coal plants in the US. Due to greater plant efficiency, such HRIs could lead to increased generation and emissions, known as an emissions rebound effect. The EPA Regulatory Impact Analysis for the ACE and other analyses to date have not quantified the magnitude and extent of an emissions rebound. We analyze the estimated emissions rebound of carbon dioxide (CO2) and criteria pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX ), using results from the EPA's power sector model, under the ACE in 2030 at model coal plants and at the state and national levels compared to both no policy and the CPP. We decompose emissions changes under a central illustrative ACE scenario and find evidence of a state-level rebound effect. Although the ACE reduces the emissions intensity of coal plants, it is expected to increase the number of operating coal plants and amount of coal-fired electricity generation, with 28% of model plants showing higher CO2 emissions in 2030 compared to no policy. As a result, the ACE only modestly reduces national power sector CO2 emissions and increases CO2 emissions by up to 8.7% in 18 states plus the District of Columbia in 2030 compared to no policy. We also find that the ACE increases SO2 and NOX emissions in 19 states and 20 states plus DC, respectively, in 2030 compared to no policy, with implications for air quality and public health. We compare our findings to other model years, additional EPA ACE scenarios, and other modeling results for similar policies, finding similar outcomes. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering the emissions rebound effect and its effect on sub-national emissions outcomes in evaluating the ACE and similar policies targeting HRIs.
17 citations
Dissertation•
25 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the impact of environmental management practices (EMPs) (energy efficiency, water, waste, material, pollution and biodiversity management) on financial performance of Ghanaian SMEs.
Abstract: The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of environmental management practices (EMPs) (energy efficiency, water, waste, material, pollution and biodiversity management) on financial performance (FP) of Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) The study also has two subsidiary objectives as follows: (1) To examine the nature and extent of EMPs among Ghanaian SMEs, (2) To identify the barriers to adopting EMPs by Ghanaian SMEs This study examines the effect of environmental management practices and its six components on financial performance using the theory of the firm The findings suggest the need to test the theory more by using all the dimensional constructs since the result differs from that of the aggregated index The study also employs institutional, stakeholder and legitimacy theories as theoretical lenses to examine environmental management barriers and argues that institutional void, stakeholder distance and lack of threat to legitimacy explain perceived barriers to environmental uptake The study is based on a survey of 238 SMEs from two industrial sectors The main tool for data collection was questionnaire designed specifically in line with the existing literature on SMEs’ environmental practices and associated barriers The collected data was analysed through descriptive statistics, univariate statistics and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) The results of the main objective of the study indicate that overall there is a positive and significant relationship between EMPs and SMEs’ financial performance The findings further suggest that the individual components of EMPs have a different influence on FP EMPs relating to energy efficiency, water, waste and material management have a significant effect on FP On the other hand, pollution and biodiversity management are not significantly associated with FP In respect of subsidiary objective (1), the results suggest that the nature of EMPs among Ghanaian SMEs is more tilted towards resources conservation with most of the instituted measured being “common sense cost-cutting” The extent of EMPs is generally average and promising The results of subsidiary objective (2) revealed that barriers perceived as limiting SMEs’ environmental management practices uptake include limited resources, low support services, low level of stakeholder pressure, poor enforcement of regulations and environmental knowledge and ownership attitude challenges The evidence from the study indicates that in spite of the socio-economic and cultural differences between Ghana as a developing country and those of developed economies from where institutional, stakeholder and legitimacy theories have been developed and tested, these theories provide the general framework to understand perceived barriers of Ghanaian SMEs This is an indication that the key tenets of these theories are applicable in developing country’s content as they are in developed economies for the proactive adoption of EMPs Also, the testing of an aggregated variable or single indicator by existing studies might not give a full picture of how good is the theory of the firm since EMP is a multi-dimensional construct This gives an indication that the support for the holistic testing by the theory may need to be modified based on the evidence of the disaggregated testing The findings suggest the need to test the theory more by using all the dimensional constructs Another significance of the findings is that they enhance our understanding of the nature and extent of EMPs, barriers and the effect of EMPs’ on the financial performance of SMEs in Ghana where such knowledge does not exist and to the dearth of literature in developing countries in general The insights from the findings will help inform policy direction on dealing with environmental challenges associated with the dominant SMEs’ sector in the Ghanaian economy
17 citations
Cites background from "Energy efficiency and consumption —..."
...The basis of such finding is that energy prices over the last decade have risen to unprecedented levels due to the pursuit of economic growth agenda and increased consumption (Greening et al. 2000; Cagno and Trianni 2013)....
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...because gains resulting from energy efficiency will effectively reduce the per unit price of energy consumption (Greening et al. 2000)....
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...Energy management practices are noted to strongly influence energy consumption at the firm level resulting in an effective reduction of the per unit price of energy consumption from gains in energy efficiency (Greening et al. 2000; Apostolos et al. 2013; Cagno and Trianni 2013)....
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01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored cooperation between a commercial supermarket chain and an environmental non-governmental organization linking it to consumer perception of the "Super Animals" collectable cards promotion initiative and concluded that cross-sector partnerships have the potential to lead to improvements in corporate social responsibility and environmental.
Abstract: This article explores cooperation between a commercial supermarket chain and an environmental non-governmental organization linking it to consumer perception of the ‘‘The Super Animals’’ collectable cards promotion initiative. The case study focuses on one particular joint project involving Animal Cards that was initiated by the supermarket Albert Heijn and the World Wide Fund for Nature in The Netherlands. Based on this case, environmental non-governmental organizations’ strategic choices in the context of contesting discourses of sustainability and consumption, as well as implications for environmental education, are addressed. This article combines three strands of the literature – on sustainable consumption, on strategic cooperation between commercial companies and environmental non-governmental organizations and on environmental education. It is argued that the Animal Cards initiative presents an ambiguous case by both attempting to enhance environmental awareness and promoting consumption, opening up questions about the value of such cooperative ventures to the objectives of environmental education. It is concluded that cross-sector partnerships have the potential to lead to improvements in corporate social responsibility and environmental
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of socio-economic and physical dwelling factors on household electricity consumption was investigated, however, to date, few such studies have been con- con con...
Abstract: Internationally, previous studies have investigated the impact of socio-economic and physical dwelling factors on household electricity consumption; however, to date, few such studies have been con...
17 citations
References
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Book•
01 Jan 1980
TL;DR: Deaton and Muellbauer as mentioned in this paper introduced generations of students to the economic theory of consumer behaviour and used it in applied econometrics, including consumer index numbers, household characteristics, demand, and household welfare comparisons.
Abstract: This classic text has introduced generations of students to the economic theory of consumer behaviour. Written by 2015 Nobel Laureate Angus Deaton and John Muellbauer, the book begins with a self-contained presentation of the basic theory and its use in applied econometrics. These early chapters also include elementary extensions of the theory to labour supply, durable goods, the consumption function, and rationing. The rest of the book is divided into three parts. In the first of these the authors discuss restrictions on choice and aggregation problems. The next part consists of chapters on consumer index numbers; household characteristics, demand, and household welfare comparisons; and social welfare and inequality. The last part extends the coverage of consumer behaviour to include the quality of goods and household production theory, labour supply and human capital theory, the consumption function and intertemporal choice, the demand for durable goods, and choice under uncertainty.
3,952 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an industrial demand for energy is essentially a derived demand: the firm's demand for the energy is an input, derived from demand for a firm's output, which is an output.
Abstract: Industrial demand for energy is essentially a derived demand: the firm's demand for energy is an input is derived from demand for the firm's output. Inputs other than energy typically also enter the firm's production process. Since firms tend to choose that bundle of inputs which minimized the total cost of producing a giving level of output, the derived demand for inputs, including energy, depends on the level of output, the submitions possibilies among inputs allow by production technology, and the relative prices of all inputs.
1,422 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a model of individual behavior in the purchase and utilization of energy-using durables is presented, where the tradeoff between capital costs for more energy efficient appliances and operating costs for the appliances is emphasized.
Abstract: This article presents a model of individual behavior in the purchase and utilization of energy-using durables. The tradeoff between capital costs for more energy efficient appliances and operating costs for the appliances is emphasized. Using data on both the purchase and utilization of room air conditioners, the model is applied to a sample of households. The utilization equation indicates a relatively low price elasticity. The purchase equation, based on a discrete choice model, demonstrates that individuals do trade off capital costs and expected operating costs. The results also show that individuals use a discount rate of about 20 percent in making the tradeoff decision and that the discount rate varies inversely with income.
1,361 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the indiscriminate use of mandated standards will backfire, but a mix of selective standards and reliance on prices as a restraint can be effective.
Abstract: Regulations which mandate appliance efficiency standards may be based on calculations which exaggerate the potential energy savings. Improved efficiency can, in fact, increase demand enough to be counterproductive unless the standards are applied selectively. As appliances improve, they are used more, new stock is demanded, and the demand for and use of related equipment increases. The policy implications of these empirical studies are that the indiscriminate use of mandated standards will backfire, but a mix of selective standards and reliance on prices as a restraint can be effective. 11 references, 5 figures, 2 tables. (DCK)
802 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a detailed study of automobile demand and use, presenting forecasts based on the powerful new techniques of qualitative choice analysis and standard regression techniques, which are combined to analyze situations that neither alone can accurately forecast.
Abstract: This book addresses two significant research areas in an interdependent fashion. It is first of all a comprehensive but concise text that covers the recently developed and widely applicable methods of qualitative choice analysis, illustrating the general theory through simulation models of automobile demand and use. It is also a detailed study of automobile demand and use, presenting forecasts based on these powerful new techniques. The book develops the general principles that underlie qualitative choice models that are now being applied in numerous fields in addition to transportation, such as housing, labor, energy, communications, and criminology. The general form, derivation, and estimation of qualitative choice models are explained, and the major models - logit, probit, and GEV - are discussed in detail. And continuous/discrete models are introduced. In these, qualitative choice methods and standard regression techniques are combined to analyze situations that neither alone can accurately forecast. Summarizing previous research on auto demand, the book shows how qualitative choice methods can be used by applying them to specific auto-related decisions as the aggregate of individuals' choices. The simulation model that is constructed is a significant improvement over older models, and should prove more useful to agencies and organizations requiring accurate forecasting of auto demand and use for planning and policy development. The book concludes with an actual case study based on a model designed for the investigations of the California Energy Commission.
726 citations