Towards the prevention of rebound effects within complex socio-technical systems

ongoing

Society´s most well-intended efforts to solve sustainability challenges have not yet achieved the expected gains due to rebound effects, which are unintended consequences of interventions that arise due to induced changes in system behaviour. Rebound effects are widely acknowledged, but fundamental scientific gaps hamper their prevention. REBOUNDLESS aims to develop the reboundless design theory, a paradigm shift in design science that will establish the scientific knowledge for preventing rebound effects by: - Explaining systemic rebound effect mechanisms triggered by sustainable design strategies. - Modelling and simulating the magnitude of rebound effects arising from design decisions. - Enabling the design of resilient systems by means of reboundless design strategies. The reboundless design theory will provide novel methodologies, simulation models and strategies for the design of reboundless solutions (i.e. products, product/service-systems and socio-technical systems that are resilient to rebound effects). Building on the strong foundation of systems theory, REBOUNDLESS is uniquely positioned to bridge the interdisciplinary gap in the interplay of sustainable design and rebound effects, qualitative and quantitative models, engineering and social sciences, theory and practice. The reboundless design theory will be the starting point of a prominent research field, with extensive applicability within and beyond sustainable design (e.g. sustainability assessment, sustainability transitions, policy-making). Never before has there been a stronger global focus on solving the pressing sustainability challenges, but the expected positive societal impact will not be achieved unless rebound effects are prevented. Building on my 15-year track-record on sustainable design theory and practice, REBOUNDLESS will give me the opportunity to enable the urgently needed shift towards the design of sustainable and resilient systems.