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A simple extension of dematerialization theory: Incorporation of technical progress and the rebound effect

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  • Magee, Christopher L.
  • Devezas, Tessaleno C.

Abstract

Dematerialization is the reduction in the quantity of materials needed to produce something useful over time. Dematerialization fundamentally derives from ongoing increases in technical performance but it can be counteracted by demand rebound -increases in usage because of increased value (or decreased cost) that also results from increasing technical performance. A major question then is to what extent technological performance improvement can offset and is offsetting continuously increasing economic consumption. This paper contributes to answering this question by offering some simple quantitative extensions to the theory of dematerialization. The paper then empirically examines the materials consumption trends as well as cost trends for a large set of materials and a few modern artifacts over the past decades. In each of 57 cases examined, the particular combinations of demand elasticity and technical performance rate improvement are not consistent with dematerialization. Overall, the theory extension and empirical examination indicate that there is no dematerialization occurring even for cases of information technology with rapid technical progress. Thus, a fully passive policy stance that relies on unfettered technological change is not supported by our results.

Suggested Citation

  • Magee, Christopher L. & Devezas, Tessaleno C., 2017. "A simple extension of dematerialization theory: Incorporation of technical progress and the rebound effect," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 196-205.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:117:y:2017:i:c:p:196-205
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.12.001
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    Cited by:

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    5. Salvador Pueyo, 2019. "Limits to green growth and the dynamics of innovation," Papers 1904.09586, arXiv.org, revised May 2019.
    6. Freire-González, Jaume, 2021. "Governing Jevons’ Paradox: Policies and systemic alternatives to avoid the rebound effect," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 72.
    7. Luis Gabriel Carmona & Kai Whiting & Angeles Carrasco & Tânia Sousa & Tiago Domingos, 2017. "Material Services with Both Eyes Wide Open," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-23, August.
    8. Wang, Ping & Han, Wei & Kumail Abbas Rizvi, Syed & Naqvi, Bushra, 2022. "Is Digital Adoption the way forward to Curb Energy Poverty?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
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    11. Naudé, Wim, 2023. "Melancholy Hues: The Futility of Green Growth and Degrowth, and the Inevitability of Societal Collapse," IZA Discussion Papers 16139, IZA Network @ LISER.

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