Potential Rebound Effects Research Articles

Emerging concerns in sustainability reporting: Disclosure of tertiary effects in the home appliance industry

Home appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers have grown rapidly worldwide, contributing to significant ecological impacts across their life cycle. Part of the corporate response to ecological concerns has been to better document and report impacts via Sustainability Reporting (SR), which follows various global standards but often lacks specificity, particularly in capturing beyond direct (tertiary) effects. Our review asks how well and to what extent sustainability reporting covers these emerging “tertiary effects”, in home appliance industry. We assess all 26 available SRs from 254 major home appliance brands (representing 50 conglomerate companies), to assess how well they cover tertiary effects including: measurement of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, attention to the nine planetary boundaries, and estimation and discussion of potential rebound effects. Only 23% of reports mention rebound effects, often framed as beneficial due to increased product demand, without addressing the negative implications of expanded resource use. Just one report covers all nine planetary boundaries, and relevant Scope 3 emissions, such as emissions from product use, are mentioned in less than half of the reports. The findings point to many opportunities for companies to disclose tertiary impacts. We draw on existing SR literature and examples from the reviewed SR reports to suggest ways for corporate self-reporting to better reflect ecological realities further afield from direct production operations. To improve SR, companies should acknowledge potential rebound effects from efficiency gains and follow guidelines to address a wider range of planetary boundary impacts and Scope 3 emissions beyond climate and freshwater concerns.

Rethinking replacement, rebound and environmental impact in reuse practice

Despite the current emphasis on reuse as a primary strategy for realising more circular economic systems, researchers have questioned the assumed environmental benefits of the practice – arguing that reuse can result in unintended rebound effects that diminish or outweigh environmental gains. This article reviews studies focused on potential rebound effects in reuse practices – not as a means to re-adjudicate the environmental virtues of reuse – but rather to critically examine common assumptions about the people and practices that animate reuse markets. The article thus responds to calls for additional research on the behavioural dimensions of reuse in more circular economic systems – and the associated implications for modelling environmental impact. We draw on an in-depth study of 30 active participants in direct product reuse markets to theorise everyday circularity from a critical social science perspective. We argue, based on our observations, that environmental impact models of reuse should not assume that: (1) all forms of product reuse are the same; (2) buyers and sellers are driven primarily by price logics; and (3) new goods are the default preference. We find reuse markets to be much more fluid than imagined by environmental impact models and argue that these insights are particularly important to consider as we approach the end of cheap nature and the costs of overconsumption are increasingly clear.

Of study enthusiasts and homebirds: students’ everyday mobility and sustainability dilemmas in online higher education

PurposeOnline education enables location-independent learning, potentially providing university students with more flexible study programs and reducing traffic-related CO2 emissions. This paper aims to examine whether online education can contribute to university-related sustainable everyday mobility, with particular consideration given to aspects of social sustainability and potential rebound effects. Specifically, it explores sustainability dilemmas that arise from conflicting social and ecological effects.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on qualitative data from mobility diaries and extensive semistructured interviews (n = 26) collected at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in Germany, this study deploys thematic analysis and a typification approach to analyze and classify students’ daily practices related to studying, mobility and dwelling, which may be impacted by online education.FindingsThe study identifies six distinct student types with diverse practices in studying, mobility and dwelling. Comparisons between student types reveal stark differences regarding professional and social goals that students associate with their studies, influencing university-related mobility and residential choices. This leads to varying assessments of online education, with some students expecting benefits and others anticipating severe drawbacks.Practical implicationsThe typology developed in this paper can assist Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in comparable contexts in understanding the distinct needs and motivations of students, thereby proactively identifying sustainability dilemmas associated with online education. By leveraging these findings, HEIs can effectively balance diverse interests and contribute meaningfully to sustainability.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to systematically investigate conflicts and rebound effects of online education in the context of sustainable mobility within HEIs.

A simulation-based approach for investigating the dynamics of rebound effects in the circular economy: A case of use-oriented product/service system

Current research in Circular Economy (CE) fails to address the occurrence of Rebound Effects (RE), which are systemic and behavioural responses to the implementation of interventions hindering the potential sustainability benefits. This paper aims to advance the academic discussion and the practical consideration of RE by exploring the potential of using System Dynamics (SD) to enable the ex-ante identification of potential RE of CE initiatives. A five-stage simulation-based approach for the identification and mitigation of potential rebound effects (AIMRE) is proposed. Its application is demonstrated in a use-oriented product/service system (PSS) case focused on a high-end dress rental service. The AIMRE enables the representation of the magnitude and reasons for RE occurrence through 14 scenarios. The finding highlights the importance of considering the interplay between consumers' and companies’ decision-making processes in quantifying, understanding, and mitigating RE occurrence.

A fix that may fail: A qualitative model to explore potential rebound effects of digital textile microfactories

AbstractFast fashion principles and mass production within globalised supply chains are pivotal in driving the economic success of the fashion industry, but they also contribute significantly to its severe environmental impacts, which must be mitigated. Digital textile microfactories are innovative small‐scale fully digitalised design and manufacturing systems that present a promising technological solution. These offer the companies that adopt them environmental and economic advantages. However, their widespread adoption in the industry may have unintended consequences. This study hypothesises a rebound effect within the industry and proposes a qualitative modelling approach based on causal loop diagrams. We present a model for identifying rebound mechanisms that may accelerate purchases, along with a mitigation strategy emphasising the consideration of customer behaviour. The contribution of this paper is twofold: Firstly, it provides a starting point for detailed quantitative studies, and secondly, it offers insights for policy‐making towards a sustainable transition in the industry.

Working patterns, leisure dynamics, and energy consumption: a time-use analysis for Italy

ABSTRACT Recent working time reduction policies aim at achieving a triple dividend, yet their impact is uncertain due to potential rebound effects. Saved work time may be spent on energy-intensive leisure activities, complicating the overall outcomes. In our study, we conduct a time use analysis to investigate how different work schedules affect leisure time and its associated energy consumption, using the Italian Time Use Survey from Istat. Our analysis examines how predictive factors such as employment status, gender, and variables related to the household environment affect preferences for leisure activities, employing various econometric models, including Dirichlet regression which best suits compositional data. Results suggest that working time predominantly affects leisure time allocation; employment status, gender, and the presence of a teenager in the household also play a role. From an energy usage standpoint, a time rebound effect is present, although it is not mediated by the aforementioned factors.

Systematic Review of Myopia Progression after Cessation of Optical Interventions for Myopia Control.

Despite high discontinuation rates for myopia optical interventions, limited attention has been given to the potential rebound effects post-discontinuation. This systematic review aims to assess the extent of the rebound effects following the cessation of common clinical optical myopia-control interventions in children. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted from inception to October 2023. The rebound effects, defined as changes in the axial length or spherical equivalent during and after treatment cessation, were categorized into four levels. These studies encompassed 703 participants and spanned from 2019 to 2023, with durations of treatment and cessation ranging from 6 months to 3.5 years and from 2 weeks to 5 years, respectively. This review, encompassing 14 studies, revealed a predominant strong rebound effect in orthokeratology (8 studies), a weak rebound effect in multifocal soft contact lenses (4 studies), and a variable rebound effect in peripheral-plus spectacle lenses (2 studies). Notably, with the increasing cessation duration, the rebound effects diminished, potentially linked to the reversal of choroidal thickening and the disappearance of peripheral myopic defocus. In conclusion, a temporal trend of rebound effects exists in all three myopia optical interventions, possibly contributing to their myopia control mechanisms.

Greening the Future: Harnessing ICT, Innovation, Eco-Taxes, and Clean Energy for Sustainable Ecology—Insights from Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Continuously Updated Fully Modified, and Continuously Updated Bias-Corrected Models

This research endeavors to investigate the impacts of information and communication technology, green technological innovation, and environmental tax on the attainment of ecological sustainability with advanced panel date estimation for 2001–2019. The results of this study demonstrate a noteworthy inverse relationship between information and communication technology and ecological footprint, suggesting that progress in ICT has the potential to yield positive consequences in terms of ecological restoration and the promotion of environmental sustainability. Furthermore, this study underscores the significance of GTI in mitigating carbon emissions and effectively addressing environmental challenges. The findings indicate that the incorporation of environmentally sustainable technology can yield favorable ecological consequences and make significant contributions towards the attainment of worldwide climate targets. Nevertheless, the study highlights the importance of considering potential rebound effects. It underscores the imperative for ongoing research and the implementation of comprehensive policies within the realm of environmentally sustainable technology. Moreover, the present study elucidates the favorable ramifications of GF on ecological sustainability, underscoring its pivotal contribution in curtailing carbon emissions, augmenting environmental benchmarks, and facilitating the ecological footprint. Enhancing the utilization of green finance, making adjustments to national regulatory frameworks, and achieving harmonization of public financial incentives to bolster sustainable development are important. Additionally, the study posits that the incorporation of ET can catalyze businesses and individuals to embrace environmentally friendly energy sources and sustainable practices, thereby fostering positive outcomes for the environment. The study offers significant insights into the contributions of information and communication technology, green technology innovation, and environmental technology to advancing ecological sustainability. It emphasizes the need for collaborative endeavors among academia, industry, and government to cultivate a supportive ecosystem for sustainable development.

The Effects on Energy Markets of Achieving a 1.5 °C Scenario.

Net zero emission scenarios are aligned with the criteria for the Paris Agreement to keep global warming below 1.5 °C. By soft-linking an energy model with a macroeconomic model, we create a similar pathway to the net zero emission scenario from the International Energy Agency (IEA) to 2050 both of demand for fossil fuels and total CO2 emissions. Soft-linking entails that we insert endogenous variables from one model into the other model. We implement measures such as CO2 taxes, improved energy efficiency, more renewables in electricity production and other sectors, easier substitution between electricity and fossil fuels for final users, and drastically limiting future production of oil, gas and coal. Our conclusion is that net zero is possible by introducing very strict measures, e.g., a high rate of energy efficiency improvement, far above what has been achieved in the past. While our partial equilibrium energy model, similar to the IEA model, overlooks the potential rebound effects, i.e., more energy used by consumers due to lower prices caused by energy efficiency improvement, our macroeconomic model does capture the rebound effects and has to implement stricter supply-side measures to reduce fossil fuel use to achieve the 1.5 °C scenario.

Unveiling the mystery: Does the traffic control policy in Beijing trigger a rebound effect in household electric vehicles?

Despite the strong support for electric vehicles (EVs) from the Chinese government, their environmental benefits are not well known, especially as they could be offset by potential rebound effects. This paper examines whether EVs could trigger rebound effects under special traffic control policies in Beijing and identifie potential driving factors of rebound effects at the residential level. The data was collected through a survey of 368 Beijing residents who own private vehicles. It was found that EVs have not caused a significant rebound effect at present. However, the potential rebound risk of promoting EVs cannot be ignored. On the one hand, EVs may increase travel demand among certain groups, especially for the single-EV household, whereas the considerable increase in travel mileage may cause higher energy consumption. On the other hand, purchasing additional EVs as a fallback option would result in resource waste. The scenario analysis found that if an EV is used to replace an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), the rebound effect will highly likely occur (72.17 % ± 62.01 %) and the original energy-saving goal cannot be achieved; while if households with an ICEV are allowed to buy an additional EV, there is a risk of a rebound or even backfire effect (the rebound effect is 6.64 % ± 24.43 %). The driving factors of rebound effects included family size, commuting distance, and individual preference for pro-environmental elements. In particular, environmental awareness could easily lead to a counterproductive result, resulting in rebound effects.

Expected changes in the energy performance of traffic flows as penetrated by electrified vehicles

This paper examines the energy performance of traffic as penetrated by electrified vehicles (BEVs), in comparison with the corresponding behavior of fossil fueled. The evaluation is conducted by combining two approaches that provide macroscopic estimations for the traffic performance and the energy consumption. A Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (MFD) is used to identify the congestion status of an urban area, under various traffic demands. Speed dependent energy consumption functions able to capture the effect of congestion are fed with the traffic outputs of the MFD to estimate traffic included consumption. Results show that BEVs energy consumption is not sensitive to changes in traffic conditions and the demand, in contrast with the conventional which consumption particularly rises with the traffic demand. A potential rebound effect from an incremental use of BEVs also evaluated.

Sustained and rebound effect of repeated low-level red-light therapy on myopia control: A 2-year post-trial follow-up study.

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of continued repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy on myopia control over 2 years, and the potential rebound effect after treatment cessation. The Chinese myopic children who originally completed the one-year randomised controlled trial were enrolled. Children continued RLRL-therapy were defined as RLRL-RLRL group, while those who stopped and switched to single-vision spectacle (SVS) in the second year were RLRL-SVS group. Likewise, those who continued to merely wear SVS or received additional RLRL-therapy were SVS-SVS and SVS-RLRL groups, respectively. RLRL-therapy was provided by an at-home desktop light device emitting red-light of 650 nm and was administered for 3min at a time, twice a day and 5 days per week. Changes in axial length (AL) and cycloplegic spherical equivalence refraction (SER) were measured. Among the 199 children who were eligible, 138 (69.3%) children attended the examination and 114 (57.3%) were analysed (SVS-SVS: n=41; SVS-RLRL: n=10; RLRL-SVS: n=52; RLRL-RLRL: n=11). The baseline characteristics were balanced among four groups. In the second year, the mean changes in AL were 0.28 ± 0.14 mm, 0.05 ± 0.24 mm, 0.42 ± 0.20 mm and 0.12 ± 0.16 mm in SVS-SVS, SVS-RLRL, RLRL-SVS and RLRL-RLRL group, respectively (p < 0.001). The respective mean SER changes were -0.54 ± 0.39D, -0.09 ± 0.55D, -0.91 ± 0.48D, and -0.20 ± 0.56D (p < 0.001). Over the 2-year period, axial elongation and SER progression were smallest in RLRL-RLRL group (AL: 0.16 ± 0.37 mm; SER: -0.31 ± 0.79D), followed by SVS-RLRL (AL: 0.44 ± 0.37 mm; SER: -0.96 ± 0.70D), RLRL-SVS (AL: 0.50 ± 0.28 mm; SER: -1.07 ± 0.69D) and SVS-SVS group (AL: 0.64 ± 0.29 mm; SER: -1.24 ± 0.63D). No self-reported adverse events, functional or structural damages were noted. Continued RLRL therapy sustained promising efficacy and safety in slowing myopia progression over 2 years. A modest rebound effect was noted after treatment cessation.

Potential rebound effects of teleworking on residential and daily mobility

AbstractThe practice of teleworking has been growing steadily in recent years with the development of ICT and the flexibilisation of work. The Covid‐19 pandemic and its stay‐at‐home restrictions have further accelerated this trend. As teleworking reduces the frequency of commuting, it also reduces CO2emissions and may be seen as a tool to regulate mobility. However, and especially since working from home enables more flexible working, teleworking may have various ‘rebound‘ effects on daily and residential mobility practices. Rebound effects include possible increases in the frequency or distance of journeys, such as an increase in non‐work‐related travel on teleworking days, as well as effects such as residential relocation or multilocal dwelling. In this article we intend to introduce and categorize the existing literature on the potential rebound effects of teleworking on residential and daily mobility. By critically assessing the literature we have identified the major lessons, while also noticing the limits of the research and a scarcity of qualitative approaches to understand how and why people who telework reinvest their non‐commuting time in other forms of mobility. Also missing in the literature is the longitudinal aspect, that is, the consideration of long‐term changes. These gaps have led us to formulate our proposition of a research agenda, where the lifestyle and life course approaches have emerged as crucial tools to understanding the motivations for teleworking and the respective rebound effects on residential and daily mobility.

Rebound Effects in Irrigated Agriculture in Uzbekistan: A Stakeholder-Based Assessment

There is wide consensus among scholars and practitioners that improved irrigation technologies increase farm productivity and improve resource use efficiency. However, there is also growing empirical evidence that efficiency improvements in irrigation water use may create rebound effects, i.e., they may trigger changes in farmers’ behavior that partly or fully offset the technical water savings expected under ceteris paribus conditions. In extreme cases, total water consumption may even increase. We studied the impacts of introducing water-saving irrigation technologies in Uzbekistan and used structured stakeholder interviews for an expert-based assessment of potential rebound effects. Our findings contribute to the understanding of impacts of technological and institutional responses to environmental and economic pressures in sustaining water resources. The study demonstrates that although the objective of increasing irrigation efficiency may be achieved, the actual water savings under Uzbek conditions are likely to be reduced due to rebound effects. Unless there are effective policy interventions, we expect rebound effects through an increase in water supply for crops that compensates for current shortages of irrigation water availability, an increase in irrigated area, a switch to more water-intensive crops, and overall economic growth. The findings of this paper provide a reference point for estimating the water-saving potential and for evaluating and adapting policies.

Pathogen- and Type-Specific Changes in Invasive Bacterial Disease Epidemiology during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in The Netherlands.

COVID-19 control measures have resulted in a decline in invasive bacterial disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis (IMD), Streptococcus pneumoniae (IPD), and Haemophilus influenzae (Hi-D). These species comprise different serogroups and serotypes that impact transmissibility and virulence. We evaluated type- and pathogen-specific changes in invasive bacterial disease epidemiology in the Netherlands during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Cases were based on nationwide surveillance for five bacterial species with either respiratory (IMD, IPD, Hi-D) or non-respiratory (controls) transmission routes and were compared from the pre-COVID period (April 2015–March 2020) to the first COVID-19 year (April 2020–March 2021). IMD, IPD, and Hi-D cases decreased by 78%, 67%, and 35%, respectively, in the first COVID-19 year compared to the pre-COVID period, although effects differed per age group. Serogroup B-IMD declined by 61%, while serogroup W and Y-IMD decreased >90%. IPD caused by serotypes 7F, 15A, 12F, 33F, and 8 showed the most pronounced decline (≥76%). In contrast to an overall decrease in Hi-D cases, vaccine-preventable serotype b (Hib) increased by 51%. COVID-19 control measures had pathogen- and type-specific effects related to invasive infections. Continued surveillance is critical to monitor potential rebound effects once restriction measures are lifted and transmission is resumed.

50th Anniversary of TPRC—Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy: Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years

50th Anniversary of TPRC—Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy: Looking Ahead to the Next 50 Years

Towards the Smart Circular Economy Paradigm: A Definition, Conceptualization, and Research Agenda

The digital age we live in offers companies many opportunities to jointly advance sustainability and competitiveness. New digital technologies can, in fact, support the incorporation of circular economy principles into businesses, enabling new business models and facilitating the redesign of products and value chains. Despite this considerable potential, the convergence between the circular economy and these technologies is still underinvestigated. By reviewing the literature, this paper aims to provide a definition and a conceptual framework, which systematize the smart circular economy paradigm as an industrial system that uses digital technologies during the product life-cycle phases to implement circular strategies and practices aimed at value creation. Following this conceptualization, the classical, underlying circular economy principle, ‘waste equals food’, is reshaped into an equation more fitting for the digital age—that is to say, ‘waste + data = resource’. Lastly, this paper provides promising research directions to further develop this field. To advance knowledge on the smart circular economy paradigm, researchers and practitioners are advised to: (i) develop research from exploratory and descriptive to confirmatory and prescriptive purposes, relying on a wide spectrum of research methodologies; (ii) move the focus from single organizations to the entire ecosystem and value chain of stakeholders; (iii) combine different enabling digital technologies to leverage their synergistic potential; and (iv) assess the environmental impact of digital technologies to prevent potential rebound effects.

Antidepressants Drug Use during COVID-19 Waves in the Tuscan General Population: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

In Italy, during the COVID-19 waves two lockdowns were implemented to prevent virus diffusion in the general population. Data on antidepressant (AD) use in these periods are still scarce. This study aimed at exploring the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on prevalence and incidence of antidepressant drug use in the general population. A population-based study using the healthcare administrative database of Tuscany was performed. We selected a dynamic cohort of subjects with at least one ADs dispensing from 1 January 2018 to 27 December 2020. The weekly prevalence and incidence of drug use were estimated across different segments: pre-lockdown (1 January 2018–8 March 2020), first lockdown (9 March 2020–15 June 2020), post-first lockdown (16 June 2020–15 November 2020) and second lockdown (16 November 2020–27 December 2020). An interrupted time-series analysis was used to assess the effect of lockdowns on the observed outcomes. Compared to the pre-lockdown we observed an abrupt reduction of ADs incidence (Incidence-Ratio: 0.82; 95% Confidence-Intervals: 0.74–0.91) and a slight weekly decrease of prevalence (Prevalence-Ratio: 0.997; 0.996–0.999). During the post-first lockdown AD use increased, with higher incidence- and similar prevalence values compared with those expected in the absence of the outbreak. This pandemic has impacted AD drug use in the general population with potential rebound effects during the period between waves. This calls for future studies aimed at exploring the mid–long term effects of this phenomenon.

Relationship between personality traits and consumer rationality regarding the intention to purchase collaborative fashion

PurposeThe study aims to identify the antecedents of consumers' collaborative fashion purchase intention by analysing innovativeness, self-confidence and consumer spending self-control variables as antecedents.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive quantitative research was performed to verify the influence of such variables based on data collected through an online survey and analysed by structural equation modelling (SEM), which resulted in a final sample of 230 valid respondents.FindingsThe main findings include innovativeness as a strong antecedent of intention to consume collaborative fashion. However, self-confidence and consumer spending self-control are not related to adopting this consumption format, suggesting that collaborative fashion can promote reverse effects by stimulating excessive consumption.Practical implicationsThe results can assist companies of collaborative fashion to enhance their strategies to attract consumers looking for creative reuse of items, for example, by offering repair, revitalisation services and promoting meetings to share tips on how to reuse items creatively. Companies can also improve communication campaigns by focussing on the product itself, rather than price, which seems to be more effective in the context of collaborative fashion consumption.Originality/valueThe study is amongst the first to analyse the influence of consumers' personality traits towards collaborative fashion consumption and provide the scope with findings on the interrelationship between personality traits and consumer rationality, which can broaden the understanding about the potential rebound effects in this context.

A study of the rebound effect on the product-service system: Why should it be a top priority?

The increasing intensity of competition, environmental pressures and diversification of customer demands call for integrated solutions, and this circumstance has propelled the product-service system (PSS) into a central position to satisfy consumer requirements and sustainability agendas. However, it is essential to emphasise that not all shifts toward PSS result in sustainability. Even when well-designed, PSS could generate unwanted side effects, usually referred to as rebound effects. Unfortunately, the study of rebound effects within PSS is constrained by the classical concept, which is concerned only with energy efficiency and its environmental impact. It is crucial to develop transitional awareness in observing the rebound effect on PSS by performing an in-depth assessment. This study aims to expand the discussion about the potential rebound effect within the PSS context and propose a framework for the PSS-rebound effect from a life cycle perspective. This study classifies and comprehensively depicts the rebound effect inside the PSS concept, highlighting the various features and cases/types of PSS based on current literature. Then a method is proposed to identify types of rebound effects, their causes and their period of occurrences within the product’s life cycle based on three sustainability characteristics. Case studies are provided to illustrate the application of the framework to identify the PSS-rebound effect relationship from the life cycle perspective. The result is beneficial for identifying potential rebound effects associated with PSS implementation to foster sustainability.