"How to explain the huge differences in rebound estimates : A meta-regression analysis of the literature" - Replication files

Replication files for "How to explain the huge differences in rebound estimates : A meta-regression analysis of the literature " accepted for publication in "The Energy Journal".

Abstract:
Rebound effects are commonly defined as the relative gap between the potential and realized savings in resource use following efficiency improvements or sufficiency changes. While a considerable number of studies quantify rebound effects, empirical estimates vary widely. Reliable information on the magnitude of rebound effects is therefore still lacking, yet needed so that, for example, policies for the sustainable use of natural resources can be adjusted accordingly. Here, we present the first meta-regression analysis of microeconomic rebound effects at the household level, using 43 studies with 1118 estimates to determine average rebound effects and to explain heterogeneous empirical findings. We find that the total microeconomic rebound is, on average, about 41-52%. The variance can be explained by differences in the type of data used, the scenario setup and the specifics of the rebound estimation in the primary studies. Furthermore, we find only small absolute transfer errors, indicating a good predictability of rebound effects using our meta-regression model.