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Global climate models are significantly overestimating the savings from energy efficiency measures, meaning future energy demand projections have been understated and the emissions reduction targets set out in the Paris climate accord could be harder to achieve, according to a new paper by an international team of researchers
Economy-wide rebound effects such as consumers driving more miles when the price of gas drops, may erode more than half of the expected energy savings from improved energy efficiency, the analysis concludes in the May 2021 issue of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
The analysis, led by researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, is critical of modeling done by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and other groups. IEA defended its work in a statement, saying rebound effects are an essential part of our analysis.
Targeted News Service (Press Releases)
BRIGHTON, England, March 5 (TNSJou) The University of Sussex issued the following news release on March 4, 2021:
The models used to produce global climate scenarios may overestimate the energy and emission savings from improved energy efficiency, warns new research led by academics at the University of Sussex Business School and the University of Leeds.
In a review of 33 studies, the researchers find that economy wide rebound effects may erode around half of the energy and emission savings from improved energy efficiency.
These rebound effects result from individuals and businesses responding to the benefits of improved energy efficiency - such as cheaper heating, lighting and travel. These responses improve quality of life, raise productivity and boost industrial competitiveness, but they also reduce the economy-wide energy savings.
Climate Models May Overestimate Energy and Emission Savings
Written by AZoCleantechMar 4 2021
According to a new study, headed by researchers from the University of Sussex Business School and the University of Leeds, the models used for creating global climate scenarios may overestimate the emission and energy savings realized from enhanced energy efficiency.
Steve Sorrell, Professor of Energy Policy in the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex Business School. Image Credit: University of Sussex.
The researchers reviewed a total of 33 studies and found that economy-wide rebound effects may deplete about 50% of the emission and energy savings from enhanced energy efficiency.
The models used to produce global climate scenarios may overestimate the energy and emission savings from improved energy efficiency, warns new research led by academics at the University of Sussex Business School and the University of Leeds.