An investigation of carbon footprint reductions achievable in Cape Town social housing considering rebound effects

• Main Author: Dick, Jasper
• Other Authors: Von Blottnitz, Harro
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2015
• Subjects: Chemical Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11984

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references. === Various life cycle studies have shown that solar water heaters (SWHs) have short greenhouse gas emission payback periods. Thus, it is believed that replacing electric geysers with SWHs will reduce a household’s carbon footprint. It is also believed that living in a well-located area close to jobs, schools, shops and public transport will reduce a household’s carbon footprint through reducing fuel consumption via private/public transport. These conclusions, however, do not take the rebound effect into account, where money saved from spending less on electricity or transport, is spent eventually, either on more electricity and transport, or on other goods and services with an associated carbon footprint.