Richard Kotter

Dr. Richard Kotter

Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

30Years (1997-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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19 January 2023 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Walter Leal FilhoWalter Leal Filho
Walter Leal Filho
Richard KotterRichard Kotter
Richard Kotter
PÖPınar Özuyar
Pınar Özuyar
Ismaila Rimi AbubakarIsmaila Rimi Abubakar
Ismaila Rimi Abubakar
JEJoão Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio
João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio
NMNewton R Matandirotya
Newton R Matandirotya
The boom in technological advances in recent decades has led to increased demand for rare earth elements (REEs) (also known as rare earth metals) across various industries with wide-ranging industrial applications, including in the clean energy sector, but with some environmental, economic, and social footprint concerns. This paper reviews the complexities of the production, consumption, and reuse or recovery of REEs, presenting current trends in terms of potentials and challenges associated with this. This paper in particular focuses on the supply, demand, and (environmental and economic) sustainability of REEs, as a subset of critical raw materials. It does so via a critical stocktaking of key discussions and debates in the field over the past 15 years up until now, through a thematic analysis of the published and gray (policy) literature with a grounded theory approach. The paper finds that carefully balanced lifecycle sustainability assessments are needed for assessing the respective dimensions of the extraction, processing, and reuse or recovery methods for different types of REE sources and supplies to meet current and future demands. It furthermore diagnoses the need for taking into account some shifts and substitutions among REEs also for reasons of cost and locational supplies for the security of supply. Finally, the paper provides some overall policy recommendations for addressing current problems, with a conceptual framing of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

1 January 2020 in Applied Energy
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RDRidoy Das
Ridoy Das
YWYue Wang
Yue Wang
GPGhanim Putrus
Ghanim Putrus
Richard KotterRichard Kotter
Richard Kotter
MMMousa Marzband
Mousa Marzband
JWJos Warmerdam
Jos Warmerdam

1 July 2020 in Energy
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Journal Article
Closed access
YWYue Wang
Yue Wang
RDRidoy Das
Ridoy Das
GPGhanim Putrus
Ghanim Putrus
Richard KotterRichard Kotter
Richard Kotter

12 July 2021 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Walter Leal FilhoWalter Leal Filho
Walter Leal Filho
Ismaila Rimi AbubakarIsmaila Rimi Abubakar
Ismaila Rimi Abubakar
Richard KotterRichard Kotter
Richard Kotter
Thomas Skou GrindstedThomas Skou Grindsted
Thomas Skou Grindsted
ABAbdul-Lateef Balogun
Abdul-Lateef Balogun
FWFranziska Wolf
Franziska Wolf
The development of electro-mobility is one of the centerpieces of European country attempts to reduce carbon emissions and increase the quality of life in cities. The goals of reducing emissions from the transport sector and phasing out fossil-fueled vehicles in (urban) transport by 2050 present unrivaled opportunities to foster electro-mobility. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature and provides a detailed analysis of the current development of electro-mobility in Europe, assessing social, economic, and environmental aspects under a circular economy (CE) context. It also examines the existing challenges and suggests ways of addressing them towards improving the environmental performance of electro-mobility and the urban quality of life. The paper argues that a narrow technology-only agenda in electro-mobility will be less successful without the imperative of the CE, including not just materials and resources but also energy, to unlock the medium-term co-benefits of de-carbonization of both the transport as well as the building and energy sectors. The paper critically reviews some of the anticipated future developments that may guide the growth of this rapidly growing field into a CE.


30 August 2011 in Journal of Geography in Higher Education
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Journal Article
Closed access
JKJustine Kemp
Justine Kemp
AMAntony Mellor
Antony Mellor
Richard KotterRichard Kotter
Richard Kotter
JOJan W. Oosthoek
Jan W. Oosthoek
The emergence of user-friendly technologies has made podcasting an accessible learning tool in undergraduate teaching. In a geomorphology course, student-produced podcasts were used as part of the assessment in 2008–2010. Student groups constructed radio shows aimed at a general audience to interpret and communicate geomorphological data within the context of relevant social and environmental issues. Questionnaire results suggest that the novel format engaged students, and promoted group working, IT, language and oral communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the context of geomorphic data. For teachers, podcasting technology offers efficient teaching of oral communication, with opportunities for distance and self-directed learning.