Using Systems Thinking and System Dynamics Modeling to Understand Rebound Effects

• Processes leading to an increase of demand for a resource as a consequence of increasing the efficiency of using this resource in production or consumption are known as (direct) rebound effects. Rebound effects at micro and macro levels tend to offset the reduction in resource consumption enabled by progress in efficiency. Systems thinking and modeling instruments such as causal loop diagrams and System Dynamics can be used to conceptualize the structure of this complex phenomenon and also to communicate model-based insights. In passenger transport, the rebound effect can be invoked by increased cost efficiency (direct economic rebound) and/or increase in speed (time rebound). In this paper we review and compare two existing models on passenger transport—including a model on the role of information and communication technology—with regard to the feedback loops used to conceptualize rebound effects.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Annan naturresursteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Other Environmental Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Rebound effect

energy efficiency

systems thinking

systems modeling

system dynamics

causal loop diagrams

passenger transport

ICT

time rebound

direct rebound

Industrial Ecology

Industriell ekologi

Planering och beslutsanalys

Planning and Decision Analysis

Economics

Nationalekonomi

Informations- och kommunikationsteknik

Information and Communication Technology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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