The growing world population places a strain on natural resources. One of the resources that are strained is water. Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a global concern for environmental policy, especially in semi-arid and arid parts of the world (Dumont, Mayor, and Lopez-Grunn 64). Consequently, there have been measures to develop innovative solutions for water management to ensure sustainability of water resources through water saving technologies. These technologies allow the use of less water and reduce costs. There is an extensive debate on how the savings that are generated impact on water sustainability. It is argued that some of the gains that are generated are eroded because consumers can consume more goods and services due to the savings that they generate. This paper assesses the rebound effect of water saving technologies by exploring theoretical literature, real world applications and policy implications.
Rebound effect is the additional consumption of a given resource that arises from innovations of technologies that are meant to minimize the use of that resource. There are several channels through which rebound effect occurs. A direct rebound effect occurs when low water costs, due to efficient technologies, expand the consumption of water or the intensity of water consumption (Dumont, Mayor, and Lopez-Gunn 67). For instance, adapting water saving irrigation system may result in expanding the irrigation scheme or using more water than is needed. There are other channels for rebound effect such as substitution effect, changes in consumption patterns, income effect and economic-wide rebound effect. However, this paper does not expound on them as they are peripheral channels.
Dumont, Mayor, & Lopez-Grunn assess the impact of modernization of irrigation systems in Spain. The authors reveal that there are unintended consequences that occurred as a result of the introduction of modern irrigation systems that dampened any benefits that were to be realized from irrigation. Rebound effect was one of the factors that dampened the gains that would have been realized. Therefore, the resulting water savings were less than what was anticipated. Sanchis-Ibor, Macian-Sorribes, García-Mollá, & Velazquez assess the impact of the introduction of drip irrigation in Mijares District with the intention of reducing water consumption in the irrigation scheme. Using a mathematical model, they reveal that there is no significant rebound effect due to the introduction of the new irrigation system. However, it was a unique case as the nature of the environment did not allow for expansion of the irrigated area which is one the channels through which rebound effect is manifested
Policy makers on water resource management and other stakeholders in the management of water resources have acknowledged the possibility of the unintended consequences of water saving technologies as discussed by academicians. Unfortunately, it has not been translated into policy actions (Vivancoa, Kemp and Voet 114). It could be partly attributable to the lack of consensus on the rebound effects by various researchers. Therefore, it is not clear to policy makers as to whether it is a priority issue. It could also be as a result of knowledge gaps on rebound effect (Vivancoa, Kemp and Voet 114). The knowledge gaps make it difficult for policy makers to develop policies to address it. There is a need to address how it arises, how it is transmitted and manifested to develop appropriate policies to mitigate it. Therefore, there is a need for academic discourse on rebound effect of water saving technologies to create long-term solutions for sustainability of water resources.
Works Cited
Dumont , A, A Mayor and E Lopez-Grunn. "Is the Rebound Effect or Jevons Paradox a Useful Concept for better Management of Water Resources? Insights from the Irrigation Modernisation Process in Spain." Aquatic Procedia (2012): 64-76. Print
Sanchis-Ibor, Carles , et al. "EFFECTS OF DRIP IRRIGATION ON WATER CONSUMPTION AT BASIN SCALE (MIJARES RIVER, SPAIN)." 26th Euro-mediterranean Regional Conference and Workshops. Montpellier: ICID, 2015. 1-4. Print
Vivancoa, David , Rene Kemp and Ester Voet. "How to deal with the rebound effect? A policy-oriented approach." Energy policy (2016): 114-125. Print
