The Rebound Effect Report
An Assessment of the evidence for economy-wide energy savings from improved energy efficiency
The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) has launched a major new report on how 'Rebound Effects' can result in energy savings falling short of expectations, thereby threatening the success of UK climate policy.
An example of a rebound effect would be the driver who replaces a car with a fuel-efficient model, only to take advantage of its cheaper running costs to drive further and more often. Or a family that insulates their loft and puts the money saved on their heating bill towards an overseas holiday.
Main Report (5 MB)
Launch Presentation, Steve Sorrell, Senior Fellow, UKERC
Launch Keynote, Professor Tim Jackson, Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey
Press Release: 'Rebound Effects' Threaten Success of UK Climate Policy
Technical Papers
Supplementary Note: Graphical Illustrations of Rebound Effects
Technical Report 1: Evaluation Studies (draft)
Technical Report 2: Econometric Studies
Technical Report 3: Elasticity of Substitution Studies
Technical Report 4: Computable General Equilibrium Modelling Studies
Technical Report 5: Energy, Productivity and Economic Growth Studies
Latest Outputs
Journal Articles
- Sorrell, S. (2009), ‘Jevons revisited: the events for backfire from improved energy efficiency’, Energy Policy, 37, 1456-1569
- Sorrell, S., J. Dimitriopolous and M. Sommerville (2009), ‘Empirical estimates of direct rebound effects: a review’, Energy Policy, 37, 1356-1371
- Sorrell, S. and J. Dimitriopolous (2007), ‘The rebound effect: microeconomic definitions, limitations and extensions, Ecological Economics, 65(3), 636-649
- Steve Sorrell (2010), 'Energy, Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability: Five Propositions'
Sustainability, 2(6), 1784-1809
Books
- Herring, H. and S. Sorrell (eds) (2008), Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption: Dealing with the Rebound Effect, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke
Book Chapters
- Sorrell, S. (2009), ‘Improving energy efficiency: hidden costs and unintended consequences’, in D. Helm and C. Hepburn (eds), The Economics and Politics of Climate Change, Oxford University Press
- Sorrell, S. (2009), ‘The rebound effect: definition and estimation’, in L. Hunt and J. Evans (eds) International Handbook of the Economics of Energy, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham
Conference Papers
- Sorrell, S. (2008), Energy-capital substitution and the rebound effect, British Institute of Energy Economics Academic Conference, the New Energy challenge: security and sustainability, St. John's College, Oxford, September 24-25
These publications are available at the UKERC Publications Catalogue.