2025/07/07 by Matthew Kuperus Heun, Gregor Semieniuk, Paul E. Brockway · 1 voice
Energy · Engineering · #Energy, Environment, and Transportation Policies #Global Energy and Sustainability Research #Vehicle emissions and performance
paper · doi:10.1177/01956574251331969
openalex publication_date 2025/07/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/05
Widespread implementation of energy efficiency is a key greenhouse gas emissions mitigation measure, but rebound can “take back” energy savings. However, the absence of solid analytical foundations hinders empirical determination of the size of rebound. A new clarity is needed, one that involves both economics and energy analysis. In this paper (Part I), we advance foundations of a rigorous analytical framework for consumer-sided rebound that starts at the microeconomic level and is approachable for both energy analysts and economists. We develop foundations of a framework that (i) clarifies the energy, expenditure, and consumption aspects of rebound, (ii) combines embodied energy with operations, maintenance, and disposal effects (under a new “emplacement effect”), and (iii) provides the first operationalized link between microeconomic and macroeconomic levels. The framework enables determination of the effects of non-marginal energy service price decreases, satiated demand for the energy service, and reduced economy-wide energy demand. JEL Classification : O13, Q40, Q43