Publisher:
University of Freiburg, Institute for Economic Research, Department of Economic Policy and Constitutional Economic Theory, Freiburg i. Br.
Abstract:
[Introduction ...] This paper explores the factors that influence the emergence and extent of rebound effects and the challenges that arise for a sustainable environmental policy. The focus here is on increasing energy efficiency and the energy consumption decisions on the consumer side. The starting point of this investigation is the concept of the rebound effect, whose definition is based on the most common classification in the much-cited works by Greening et. al. (2000) and Berkhout et. al. (2000). Based on this, the main part of this paper is dedicated to the different factors influencing the rebound effect. The last section addresses the challenges arising for an environmental policy to promote energy efficiency.