Showing papers on "Rebound effect (conservation) published in 2012"

The Long Run Demand for Lighting: Elasticities and Rebound Effects in Different Phases of Economic Development

Abstract: The provision of artificial light was revolutionised by a series of discontinuous innovations in lighting appliances, fuels, infrastructures and institutions during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In Britain, the real price of lighting fell dramatically (3,000-fold between 1800 and 2000) and quality rose. Along with rises in real income and population, these developments meant that total consumption of lighting was 40,000 times greater by 2000 than in 1800. The paper presents estimates of the income and price elasticities of demand for lighting services over the past three hundred years, and explores how they evolved. Income and price elasticities increased dramatically (to 3.5 and -1.7, respectively) between the 1840s and the 1890s and fell rapidly in the twentieth century. Even in the twentieth century and at the beginning of the twenty-first century, rebound effects in the lighting market still appear to be potentially important. This paper provides a first case study of the long run effects of socio-economic change and technological innovation on the consumption of energy services in the UK. We suggest that understanding the evolution of the demand for energy services and the factors that influence it contributes to a better understanding of future energy uses and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Modeling green growth and resource efficiency: new results

Abstract: Green growth is an environmental policy strategy that aims at an absolute decoupling between economic growth and resource consumption. As far as the applied policy measures focus on direct enhancements of economy-wide resource efficiency levels, their overall achievements might however be weakened by their induced rebound effects. This paper seeks to investigate the nature and significance of such trade-off interrelationships with regards to material efficiency improvements within the German economy. To this, we present the outcomes of individual policy simulations by means of the PANTA RHEI model. Taxes, information, and regulation activities are considered as policy instruments. Our overall empirical findings cannot falsify the green growth paradigm as the observed magnitude of economy-wide rebound effects appears unable to inhibit future absolute decoupling trends.

Estimating direct and indirect rebound effects for UKhouseholds

Abstract: Energy efficiency improvements by households lead to rebound effects that offset the potential energy and emissions savings. Direct rebound effects result from increased demand for cheaper energy services, while indirect rebound effects result from increased demand for other goods and services that also require energy to provide. Research to date has focused upon the former, but both are important for climate change. This study estimates the combined direct and indirect rebound effects from seven measures that improve the energy efficiency of UK dwellings. The methodology is based upon estimates of the income elasticity and greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of 16 categories of household goods and services, and allows for the embodied emissions of the energy efficiency measures themselves. Rebound effects are measured in GHG terms and relate to the adoption of these measures by an average UK household. The study finds that the rebound effects from these measures are typically in the range 5-15% and arise mostly from indirect effects. This is largely because expenditure on gas and electricity is more GHG-intensive than expenditure on other goods and services. However, the anticipated shift towards a low carbon electricity system in the UK may lead to much larger rebound effects.

Sustainability Through Design Science: Re-Imagining Option Spaces Beyond Eco-Efficiency

Abstract: Ecological resource efficiency, implemented as a market mechanism within a neoclassical economy, shoulders the burden of providing a worldview for sustainable development: continuous GDP growth to provide for the expansion of human needs, and dematerialization through resource efficiency to accommodate ecological limits However, resource efficiency does not equal resource conservation Empirical evidence confirms that the emergent rebound effects of efficiency gains overpower their first-order intention, creating counterintuitive feedback effects at larger scales Backfire, the collective product of individual scale resource efficiencies, is little recognized as a key driver of resource depletion However, the acknowledgement of rebound effects as emergent properties of eco-efficiency systems also opens an opportunity space This paper introduces the paradigm of design science for sustainable development, a qualitatively different epistemology in which the emergent effects of throughput growth and social rebound are collectively negotiated within a sustainable area budget Multiple-alternative scenario building within this budget outlines a process within which emergent properties are negotiated relative to the resilience of social and ecological systems Design science provides the crucial outlines for the negotiation of a common future inscribed within ecological limits Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Why energy efficiency is not sufficient - some remarks on "Green by IT"

Abstract: Most part of the “Green IT“ or “Green ICT“ discussion is addressing issues of energy efficiency, implicitly assuming that more energy-efficient technologies will substantially contribute to a reduction of total energy consumption and, as a consequence, of CO 2 emissions. This assumption is usually challenged by historical evidence for the rebound effect. This paper presents a case study on smart vending machines, showing that the ocurrence and size of the rebound effect can vary greatly depending on several factors. Some suggestions on how to avoid rebound effects when applying “smarter” technologies to save energy are derived.

Thermal Insulation in High Mountainous Regions

Abstract: As in many other high mountainous regions, local people in the Eastern Pamirs (Tajikistan) use biomass fuels, mainly teresken shrubs, to heat their houses during the winter months. This overuse of already scarce natural resources results in serious land degradation. Since 2006, thermal insulation measures have been disseminated and financed through microloans. This case study analyzes the impacts of thermal insulation in Murgab, the main town in the Eastern Pamirs, where thermal insulation measures have been implemented in 159 households since 2008. Although clients are more interested in increased comfort than in fuel savings, according to quantitative data collected in 2010 and 2011, thermal insulation measures led to a 20 to 30% savings in heating energy on average. However, it is mainly better-off households that are aware of energy efficiency issues and willing to invest in thermal insulation. In contrast, poorer households are the main teresken users, but they rarely have their houses insulated due to a lack of awareness and a low ability to repay loans. Therefore, the approach to introducing thermal insulation has only had a small effect on teresken consumption until now.

Effects of fuel efficiency improvements in personal transportation

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an assessment of the effects of fuel efficiency improvements on four‐wheeler ownership, fuel consumption, fuel imports and emissions for personal transportation in the context of India The paper also aims to measure the rebound effect induced by this policyDesign/methodology/approach – The paper relies on a system dynamics model to analyse the problem A causal loop model was developed initially, which was transformed to a stock and flow diagram Simulation was carried out to capture the effects of fuel efficiency improvements in the four‐wheeler sector of IndiaFindings – The study has revealed that a policy of fuel efficiency improvements is favourable to the Indian four‐wheeler sector growth, but this policy could result in an increase in fuel consumption and therefore a corresponding increase in the fuel imports and emissions in the country This policy also induces direct rebound effect that adds up to the already alarming fuel consumption levelsRe

The Provincial Differences of China's Water Use Efficiency in Recent Years:Technological Progress or Technical Efficiency

Abstract: Sustainable use of water resource is a strategic issue of China’s economic and social development and its core is to improve water use efficiency.Using the panel data of China’s 30 provinces during 2003-2009,this paper has calculated the total-factor water use efficiency by selecting input-oriented DEA model,and the technological progress,technical efficiency and TFP by Malmquist.Besides,it has investigated the influences of technological progress and efficiency on water use efficiency in different areas.The results are as follows:the cut-off point of water use efficiency change in recent years appeared in 2007 and water use efficiency is the highest in eastern region,followed by central region and last is the western region;technological progress and technical efficiency growth can lead to the improvement of water use efficiency,but technological progress makes a relatively small impact because of rebound effect;technical efficiency growth has led to more substantial improvement in water use efficiency mainly due to the positive effects of pure technical efficiency and allocative efficiency;technological progress makes most effective effect on water use efficiency improvement in central region while less effective effect in the western region.From the above conclusions,we can draw some useful and important policy recommendations;1)Deal cautiously with the decomposition of water-saving goals.The controlling red line of water use efficiency in the coming years has been made by central government in China,but due to big differences in China's regional economic development and technical level,the relative efficiency of water resource also has great gaps in different regions. Therefore,we should decompose the water-saving goals based on the actual situation of different regions’water use efficiency and avoid"one size fits all"phenomenon;2)Pay full attention to the influences of technological progress,resource allocation,management level and level of price on water use efficiency.Government should increase the investment in technology,encourage technological innovation and reform water price so as to meet the economic and social development requirements for water use efficiency.

Understanding the Changes of Vehicle Miles Travelled in Response to Fuel Price and Fuel Efficiency for Different Income Groups

Abstract: Fuel price is one of the most effective policy tools in regulating travel demand. The effects of fuel price on travel demand for different income groups reveal the choices and constraints they are faced with. The first purpose of this study is to understand these underlying choices and constraints by examining the variation of fuel price elasticity of Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) across income groups. In the long run, improvement in fuel efficiency can result in increases in VMT, which is known as the rebound effect; the rebound effect may offset the negative effect of fuel price on VMT. The second purpose of this study is, therefore, to compare the relative magnitudes of the fuel price effect and the rebound effect. A sample of 105,372 households from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey is divided into five income quintiles and a Structural Equations System with VMT and fuel efficiency as endogenous variables is estimated for each quintile. Higher income group shows greater fuel price elasticity than lower income group and the rebound effect is found to be only significant for the lowest income quintile. The authors discuss that the relative inelasticity of the lower income group is due to that they may be already traveling at a minimum to maintain a functional life and the large rebound effect of the lowest income quintile confirms that their travel demand is far from satiation. These findings emphasize policies aimed at reducing the basic travel needs of lower income groups and meanwhile, increasing their accessibility to other travel options.

Regional Energy Rebound Effect in China Based on IPAT Equation

Abstract: This paper has focused on China's regional rebound effects, which is closely linked to efficiency improvement and economic growth. The analysis provides a new method in region division regarding the size of energy intensity. And it also introduces an estimation model based in IPAT equation and Cobb-Douglas production function to explore the rebound effects in three major regions. The result shows the average rebound effect is 53.66%, 69.82%, 78.80% for the high, middle, low-efficiency region respectively during 1985-2008. While the evidence in favor of existence of rebound effects in China is far from conclusive, it does suggest we should not only rely on improving energy efficiency, but also heavily taxing resources, in order to limit energy depletion.

Heterogeneity in the rebound effect: Further evidence for Germany

Abstract: Rebound effects measure the behaviorally induced offset in the reduction of energy consumption following efficiency improvements. Using both panel estimation and quantile regression methods on household travel diary data collected in Germany between 1997 and 2009, this study investigates the heterogeneity of the rebound effect in private transport. With the average rebound effect being in the range of 57% to 62%, our results are in line with a recent German study by Frondel, Peters, and Vance (2008), but are substantially larger than those obtained from other studies. Furthermore, our quantile regression results indicate that the magnitude of estimated fuel price elasticities – from which rebound effects can be derived – depends inversely on the household's driving intensity: households with low vehicle mileage exhibit fuel price elasticities, and hence rebound effects, that are significantly larger than those for households with high vehicle mileage.

Energy Efficiency Research And Development: Consumption- And Environment-Centric Perspectives

Abstract: The quest to develop technologies with minimal adverse environment impact has led to investments in research and development (R&D) targeted at developing energy-efficient technologies or improving the energy efficiency of existing technologies. Despite the increased focus on energy efficiency R&D, studies that examine their impact on environmental performance over time are lacking. Invoking the rebound effect and the ecological modernization theory, we hypothesize relationships between energy efficiency R&D with energy consumption, and emissions, and test them using panel data for OECD countries from 1987 to 2009. Econometric analysis suggests that energy efficiency R&D is negatively associated with per capita emission only. This suggests that any investment in energy efficiency achieves the objective of reducing the adverse environmental impact, thus positively contributing to the environment. The results further suggest that concerns about energy efficiency R&D may be misplaced as it is reducing adverse environmental impact without any significant association with energy consumption. Thus, the rebound effect, which postulates that increased energy efficiency results in more energy consumption, is not valid in the present context. We further examine the growth of improvement in environmental performance over time and show that the effectiveness of energy efficiency R&D remains consistent over time. This suggests that carbon neutral policies are plausible. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Climate change policies and endogenous technical change in a general equilibrium modelling framework : trade spillovers, knowledge stocks and rebound effects

Abstract: This work is structured into three chapters, each one exploring the effectiveness of climate policies considering the formulation of endogenous technical change (ETC) from different perspectives. Including ETC in a computable general equilibrium model allows combining important feedback mechanisms that may affect the final outcome of a climate policy. The first chapter considers ETC specifically as biased-technical change in the form of trade-embodied international technology spillovers, restricted to imports of machinery and equipment. The second chapter improves the representation of ETC by building sectorspecific stocks of knowledge, which accumulate thanks to investments in R&D. The third chapter focuses on the rebound effect by means of the improved ETC model described in the previous chapter. Estratto: Diviso in tre capitoli, questo lavoro esplora l‟effettività delle politiche climatiche in relazione al tema del progresso tecnico endogeno (ETC), sotto varie prospettive. L‟inclusione dell‟ETC in un modello di equilibrio economico generale consente la combinazione di importanti meccanismi di feedback in grado di incidere sul risultato finale di una politica climatica. Il primo capitolo elabora il progresso tecnico nella forma di spillovers tecnologici derivanti dal commercio internazionale di macchinari e di capitale. Il secondo capitolo presenta una più completa rappresentazione dell‟ETC introducendo nel modello degli stock di conoscenza specifici per ogni settore, accumulabili tramite investimenti in ricerca e sviluppo. Il terzo capitolo, partendo dal modello ETC sviluppato nel capitolo precedente, si concentra sui cosiddetti effetti di rebound.

The impact of increased efficiency in the use of energy: A computable general equilibrium analysis for Spain

Abstract: The need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases has been placed in recent years. The improvement in the efficiency of use is one of the pillars of the energy policies in most countries. Particularly, in Spain, rates of energy intensity are among the highest in the European Union. With an increasing level of CO2 emissions, the need to reduce energy consumption has come to occupy a central role in the political agenda to address both challenges. Rarely, however, are generally taken into account the considerations arising from the rebound effect. That is, the possibility of improving energy efficiency could lead to reductions in energy consumption lower than expected, or even increases in consumption. Less common is still being analyzed and quantified in which sectors and/or what types of energy is more likely to produce the desired effect, or what consequences might arise from an improvement in energy efficiency over other variables such as employment, prices or GDP. This paper analyzes the Spanish economy through a CGE model using the Input-Output Framework of the Spanish economy for the year 2005. The model we use is a static MEGA, which describes an open economy, disaggregated into 27 production sectors. Unlike similar models, it has the particular feature of including unemployment in labour markets, given the high level of unemployment in the Spanish economy. The simulations consist in improving the productivity of energy-related inputs. Specifically, it is simulated a reduction of the use of 5 energy intermediate inputs (all together and individually) by unity of output produced. This leaves as result: a decrease in the total consumption of electricity, gas and coal (positive rebound effect in the case of electricity and negative for the gas and coal), an increase in the consumption of petroleum products and the resulting increase in crude oil imports (backfire effect), a significant increase in the amount of energy as end use, an increase in the GDP and welfare of the economy of about 0.5% and a reduction in the unemployment rate of around 5%.