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Systematic Analysis of Rebound Effects for "Greening by ICT" Initiatives

Author

Listed:
  • Freek BOMHOF

    (Department of Innovation Management,TNO Information and Communication Technology)

  • Paula van HOORIK

    (Department of Innovation Management,TNO Information and Communication Technology)

  • Maartje DONKERS

    (Arcadis Nederland)

Abstract

The application of ICT can lead to considerable reductions in the energy consumption of society. Although ICT itself consumes energy, there are many good reasons to explore the possibilities of 'green ICT'. After decades of experiments and research, ICTs designed to be 'green' still holds the promise of leading to substantial ecological benefits by means of dematerialisation, more efficient production processes and changed (more sustainable) human behaviour. Up till now, the effects of ICT on energy consumption are much less straightforward due to rebound effects: effects that have a negative influence on the intended positive effect. In parallel, rebound effects themselves have in turn other side effects as well, so there are many interacting effects to account for, greatly adding to complexity of the discussion. Despite evidence that suggests otherwise, initiatives that focus on 'greening by ICT' do notaccount for a consistent analysis of these rebound effects. This paper proposes an approach that enables to map and analyze these rebound effects systematically. This approach is applied in two related cases, teleworking and the use of Smart Working Centres. The Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) is used as a simulation model to identify which chains of effects are most interesting to consider for intervention. The application in the two cases demonstrates that rebound effects can by structured and that the RAP is a very suitable way to do so and provides a good assessment of net sustainability effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Freek BOMHOF & Paula van HOORIK & Maartje DONKERS, 2009. "Systematic Analysis of Rebound Effects for "Greening by ICT" Initiatives," Communications & Strategies, IDATE, Com&Strat dept., vol. 1(76), pages 77-96, 4th quart.
    • Handle: RePEc:idt:journl:cs7604
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Volker Frehe & Frank Teuteberg, 2017. "Information and communication technology in green logistics: status quo and research gaps," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 67(2), pages 65-96, April.
    2. Elheddad, Mohamed & Benjasak, Chonlakan & Deljavan, Rana & Alharthi, Majed & Almabrok, Jaballa M., 2021. "The effect of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the environment: The relationship between electronic finance and pollution in OECD countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    3. Wen-Cheng Lu, 2018. "The impacts of information and communication technology, energy consumption, financial development, and economic growth on carbon dioxide emissions in 12 Asian countries," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 1351-1365, December.
    4. Xiaoxi Zhang & Machiko Shinozuka & Yuriko Tanaka & Yuko Kanamori & Toshihiko Masui, 2022. "How ICT can contribute to realize a sustainable society in the future: a CGE approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 5614-5640, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    rebound effects; Rapid Assesment Program; greening by ICT; teleworking.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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