Literature Review on Rebound Effect of Water Saving Measures and Analysis of a Spanish Case Study

Abstract

POST-PRINT VERSION AbstractThe hypothesis of a rebound effect as a consequence of water saving investments is taken analogically from the Jevons paradox models in energy economics. The European Commission (EC) alert about the consequences in water stressed regions that are investing heavily in modernization of irrigation networks and systems. This paper reviews the literature, linking water savings with water diversion and water depletion, both from theoretical models and empirical evidence from the published research. In order to increase knowledge of this phenomenon, a new empirical case study is presented based on a survey of 36,000 ha of recently modernized irrigated areas in the Guadalquivir basin (southern Spain). The results of the case study illustrates the conditions that may avoid rebound effect, although the results of the available empirical evidence and the published theoretical research are diverse and lead to contradictory results. Further research is therefore needed to determine the causes and solutions of water saving investment impacts and the possible speculative rebound effect.Keywords: Water conservation; Jevons paradox; Rebound effect; Water pricing; Water use; Water consumption; Spain Highlights The present study analyzes the theoretical and empirical evidence that water saving investments may lead to increased water use and/or consumption. Some authors suggest that if irrigated land expansion is not constrained, increased water abstractions are likely to occur. When land expansion is constrained and water rights are controlled, water depletion does not increase. The results of published research are diverse and have yielded contradictory results regarding the rebound effect as a consequence of water saving investments.

Agricultural Irrigation Water Use in a Closed Basin and the Impacts on Water Productivity: The Case of the Guadalquivir River Basin (Southern Spain)

“…More optimistic authors define performance as water value divided by water used (abstracted), whereas the pessimistic view takes a global basin perspective and considers water consumption (evapotranspiration, ETP) as the critical variable. In this regard, Berbel et al [33] provide a critical review of the published scientific evidence on the impact of water-saving investment on water use (abstraction) and water consumption (mainly ETP).…”

Irrigation-Induced Changes in Evapotranspiration Demand of Awati Irrigation District, Northwest China: Weakening the Effects of Water Saving?

“…Although improving irrigation efficiency through water-saving technologies provides an opportunity to reduce water consumption, irrigation water withdrawal continues to increase in many regions [11]. This condition is referred to as the rebound effect or Jevons paradox [8,12]. This efficiency paradox has been gaining widespread attention from researchers studying arid or semi-arid regions [13][14][15][16].…”

Microeconomics of Deficit Irrigation and Subjective Water Response Function for Intensive Olive Groves

“…A complete review of the evidence regarding this effect can be found in the work of Berbel et al [26]. All previous published research on the rebound effect of water-saving technologies analyzes infrastructure (distribution network improvement and equipment, e.g., drip irrigation), although deficit irrigation is an agronomic technique requiring no additional capital investment and therefore has not yet been examined in the literature on the rebound effect.…”