Green Growth Unravelled

Can energy consumption and emissions be reduced greatly, while the economy continue to grow? This study by Tilman Santarius goes to the question of how energy efficiency measures generate so-called rebound effects that increase energy consumption and, thus, run counter to the goal of energy conservation. It describes a variety of possible rebound effects and analyzes the challenges to address rebound with environmental policies. The conclusion: only if the economy stops growing, can natural consumption be reduced sufficiently.