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A Tour of the Jevons Paradox: How Energy Efficiency Backfires

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  • Fix, Blair

Abstract

According to mainstream thinking, efficiency is a potent tool for conservation — a way to live better while using fewer resources. Unfortunately, this simple narrative is contradicted by overwhelming evidence. Instead of spurring conservation, efficiency seems to stimulate the consumption of more resources. This paper surveys the evidence for efficiency backfire and concludes that efficiency is a general tool for catalyzing technological sprawl.

Suggested Citation

  • Fix, Blair, 2024. "A Tour of the Jevons Paradox: How Energy Efficiency Backfires," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue 108 (Supp, pages 40-64.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:301399
    as

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    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/301399/1/20240700_fix_a_tour_of_the_jevons_paradox_rwer.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martin, Ulf, 2019. "The Autocatalytic Sprawl of Pseudorational Mastery," Review of Capital as Power, Capital As Power - Toward a New Cosmology of Capitalism, vol. 1(4), pages 1-30.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    efficiency; energy; Jevons Paradox;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • P - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems
    • P18 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Energy; Environment
    • Q4 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity

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