Publications

@article{Velasco-Fernandez2020a,

title = {Fallacies of energy efficiency indicators: Recognizing the complexity of the metabolic pattern of the economy},

author = {R. Velasco-Fern\'{a}ndez and T. Dunlop and M. Giampietro},

doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111089},

issn = {03014215},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-02-01},

journal = {Energy Policy},

volume = {137},

pages = {111089},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {The strategy of energy efficiency to save energy is deceptively simple: the idea is to use less input for the highest amount of useful output. However, on a practical and conceptual level, efficiency is an ambiguous and problematic concept to implement. Of particular concern is the lack of contextual and qualitative information provided in energy efficiency measurements based on simple ratios. Oversimplification of efficiency measurements can have a detrimental effect on the choice of energy policies. Efficiency measurements are particularly problematic on a macroeconomic scale where a significant amount of meaningful information is lost through the aggregation of data into a simple ratio (economic energy intensity). First, practical examples are presented flagging conceptual problems with energy efficiency indicators, then an alternative accounting method\textemdashthe end-use matrix\textemdashbased on the concept of the metabolic pattern of social-ecological systems is illustrated to show the possibility of enriching efficiency indicators by adding qualitative and contextual information across multiple scales and dimensions. This method unpacks and structures salient energy input and output information in a meaningful and transparent way by generating a rich multi-level and multi-dimensional information space.},

keywords = {End-use matrix, Energy efficiency, Energy performance, Energy policy, Jevons paradox, Metabolic pattern},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Mayumi2019,

title = {Reconsidering “circular economy” in terms of irreversible evolution of economic activity and interplay between technosphere and biosphere},

author = {K. Mayumi and M. Giampietro},

url = {https://econpapers.repec.org/article/rjrromjef/v_3a_3ay_3a2019_3ai_3a2_3ap_3a196-206.htm},

issn = {25376071},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Journal for Economic Forecasting},

volume = {22},

number = {2},

pages = {196--206},

abstract = {textcopyright 2019, Institute for Economic Forecasting. All rights reserved. The notion of circular economy has attracted increased attention in recent years. A set of common denominators of circular economy is identified. Then, four questions are raised to show that the ideas of a circular economy cannot be untenable: (i) is there any fundamental difference between the framework of circular economy and the neoclassical standard economics?; (ii) the efficiency improvement of energy and material use is achievable within the framework of circular economy proposal?; (iii) can the harmonious interplay between Technosphere and Biosphere be maintained?; and (iv) is there any serious consideration of “water fund” management within the framework of circular economy?.},

keywords = {Biosphere, Circular economy, Jevons paradox, Technosphere, Water fund},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Giampietro2018,

title = {Unraveling the Complexity of the Jevons Paradox: The Link Between Innovation, Efficiency, and Sustainability},

author = {Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi},

url = {http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fenrg.2018.00026/full},

doi = {10.3389/fenrg.2018.00026},

issn = {2296-598X},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-04-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Energy Research},

volume = {6},

number = {APR},

pages = {26},

abstract = {textcopyright 2018 Giampietro and Mayumi. The term "Jevons Paradox" flags the need to consider the different hierarchical scales at which a system under analysis changes its identity in response to an innovation. Accordingly, an analysis of the implications of the Jevons Paradox must abandon the realm of reductionism and deal with the complexity inherent in the issue of sustainability: when studying evolution and real change how can we define "what has to be sustained" in a system that continuously becomes something else? In an attempt to address this question this paper presents three theoretical concepts foreign to conventional scientific analysis: (i) complex adaptive systems-to address the peculiar characteristics of learning and self-producing systems; (ii) holons and holarchy-to explain the implications of the ambiguity found when observing the relation between functional and structural elements across different scales (steady-state vs. evolution); and (iii) Holling's adaptive cycle-to illustrate the existence of different phases in the evolutionary trajectory of a complex adaptive system interacting with its context in which either external or internal constraints can become limiting. These concepts are used to explain systemic drivers of the Jevons Paradox. Looking at society's thermodynamic foundations, sustainability is based on a dynamic balance of two contrasting principles regulating the evolution of complex adaptive systems: the minimum entropy production and the maximum energy flux. The co-existence of these two principles explains why in different situations innovation has to play a different role in the "sustainable development" of society: (i) when society is not subject to external biophysical constraints improvements in efficiency serve to increase the final consumption of society and expand its diversity of functions and structures; (ii) when the expansion of society is limited by external constraints improvements in efficiency should be used to avoid as much as possible the loss of the existing diversity. It is concluded that sustainability cannot be achieved by technological innovations alone, but requires a continuous process of institutional and behavioral adjustment.},

keywords = {Complex adaptive system, Complexity theory, Energy efficiency, Holon, Innovation, Jevons paradox, MuSIASEM, Rebound effect},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}