Is the rebound effect or Jevons paradox a useful concept for better management of water resources? Insights from the Irrigation Modernisation Process in Spain

Aurélien Dumont (1) , Beatriz Mayor (1) , Elena López-Gunn (2)

1 Departamento de Geodinámica
2 Observatorio del Agua de la Fundación Botín

Improving the efficiency of water use is usually presented as an opportunity for large water savings, particularly in the agricultural sector. Warnings that this may not translate into reduced consumption is sometimes associated with the rebound effect or Jevons paradox, an appealing concept that can be used to analyse and prevent undesired consequences in the rush for efficiency gains. This article, based on the energy sector, shows that the concept helps to identify possible unintended consequences of increasing efficiency and shows how efficiency gains are shared in society. However, it might be conceptually misleading when applied to water since it reinforces a myth on the consideration of water savings and efficiency, and may be also too restrictive. The recent modernisation of irrigation practices in Spain highlights that the rebound effect is only one of many possible consequences of efficiency improvements.

Mots clés: irrigation; rebound effect; Jevons paradox; efficiency; return flows; modernisation; Spain

Domaines: Economies et finances; Etudes de l'environnement; Environnement et Société; Agriculture, économie et politique

Aurélien Dumont, Beatriz Mayor, Elena López-Gunn. 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, 2013, 1, pp.64-76. ⟨10.1016/j.aqpro.2013.07.006⟩. ⟨halshs-00991778⟩