Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption: The Rebound Effect

Citation

(2009), "Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption: The Rebound Effect", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 10 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe.2009.24910cae.004

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption: The Rebound Effect

Article Type: Books and resource From: International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Volume 10, Issue 3

Edited by Horace Herring and Steve Sorrell,Palgrave Macmillan,Basingstoke,2008,280 pp.,ISBN 9780230525344,£55.00

Most governments seek to improve energy efficiency in order to reduce carbon emissions. This book suggests, however, that this may not be as effective as is generally assumed; various “rebound effects” may take back some or all of the energy savings, and it is possible that improvements in energy efficiency will lead to increases in energy demand over the long term. This book aims to provide a detailed analysis of these rebound effects and to highlight their far-reaching implications for energy and climate policy. It combines economic studies of the rebound effect with broader analyses of the socio-cultural and political implications.

Written for researchers, policy-makers and environmentalists, the book summarises the current state of knowledge, presents new research and explores the conditions under which energy efficiency can contribute to sustainability.

DFT report: exploring public attitudes to climate change and travel choices

In the UK, transport accounts for around a quarter of domestic greenhouse gas emissions. Behavioural change is seen as an important component in reducing this, both by reducing the amount of emissions from transport and by reducing the proportion of emissions from transport relative to other sources of emissions. This report presents the findings from an 18-month deliberative study that has explored public attitudes to climate change and how this relates to their personal travel choices. Specifically, this research provides a greater insight into public understanding of climate change and how it relates to personal travel behaviours, explores the barriers and motivations for travel behaviour change, and considers the role of information in increasing public awareness and understanding of the issues.

For further information, please visit the web site: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/scienceresearch/social/climatechange/attitudestoclimatechange.pdf