Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/184826 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
UCD Centre for Economic Research Working Paper Series No. WP17/26
Publisher: 
University College Dublin, UCD School of Economics, Dublin
Abstract: 
Economy-wide rebound in energy use is often presented as a necessary "evil" accompanying economic expansion triggered by energy efficiency improvements. We challenge this position in two, inter-related ways. First, we question the emphasis on potential technical energy savings and losses due to rebound in energy efficiency policy evaluation. This abstracts from the wider economic and societal impacts of energy efficiency improvements that are often positive and valuable to policy makers. Second, we propose that economic expansion and economy-wide rebound need not be highly correlated. We argue that energy efficiency actions targeted at improving the competitiveness of less energy-intensive means of providing services, such as heat and transport, may provide opportunities to boost economic activity while minimising rebound effects. This perspective involves a change in current policy and research thinking, particularly in terms of the type of substitution possibilities that we should focus on in enhancing energy efficiency, economic expansion and rebound relations.
Subjects: 
Energy policy
Energy economics
Economy-wide rebound
Energy efficiency
JEL: 
Q43
Q48
E2
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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