Kuehr, Ruediger
Director
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- INSTITUTE:
- UNU-ViE
- OFFICE:
- Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE)
- E-MAIL:
- kuehr@vie.unu.edu
- PHONE:
- +49-228-815-0213
- NATIONALITY:
- Germany
Research Interests
- Environmental policy
- Environmental technology
- Strategic sustainable development
Education
- PhD (Dr. rer. pol.) in Economics and Social Sciences from the University of Osnabrück (Germany)
- M.A. (Magister Artium) in Political Sciences, Geography and Psychology from the University of Münster, (Germany)
- Additional post-graduate studies in Tokyo (Japan) and Berlin (Germany)
Appointments
- Since 03/2007 - Executive Secretary and Member (ex-officio) of the Steering Committee “Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP)” Initiative
Biographical Statement
Dr. Kuehr is Director of the Sustainable Cycles Programme (SCYCLE) hosted by the Vice-Rectorate in Europe (ViE). SCYCLE is focusing its work and activities on sustainable production, consumption and disposal. He is also Co-Founder of the Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) Initiative for which he served as Executive Secretary from 2007 till 2017.
Since 1999 Dr. Kuehr served in various positions within the United Nations University such as Head of UNU-IAS SCYCLE, Head of UNU-ISP-SCYCLE, and Head of the UNU Zero Emissions Forum (ZEF) – European Focal Point. From 2000 to 2002 he was also Secretary to the Alliance for Global Eco-Structuring (AGES) under UNEP’s Cleaner Production Network. Dr. Kuehr has co-authored and co-edited several books, studies and proceedings, including “2014 Global E-waste Monitor” (2015), “Japan’s transnational environmental policy” (2011), “E-waste: From Recycling to Resources” (2010), “Computers and the Environment: Understanding and Managing their Impacts” (2004), whose research results have received acclaimed attention worldwide. He also publishes and lectures on, inter alia, environmental technology transfer, transnational environmental policies, strategic sustainable development and development cooperation.
A political and social scientist by education with a PhD (Dr. rer. pol.) from the University of Osnabrück (Germany) and a M.A. (Magister Artium) from the University of Münster, (Germany), and additional post-graduate studies in Tokyo (Japan), Dr. Kuehr served as Senior R & D Specialist with The Natural Step in Sweden and as a freelance policy-consultant to various national governments, international organizations and companies. He was a visiting fellow to the Free University of Berlin (Germany) and the Hitotsubashi University (Japan) and a Research Associate to the Japan Research Centre of the University of Osnabrück (Germany).
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Articles
- Parajuly, Keshav, Fitzpatrick, Colin, Muldoon, Orla and Kuehr, Ruediger (2020). Behavioral change for the circular economy: A review with focus on electronic waste management in the EU. Resources, Conservation & Recycling: X, 6(100035), 1-9
- Kuehr, Ruediger (2013). Book review: what is sustainable technology? perceptions, paradoxes and possibilities, edited by Karel Mulder, Didac Ferrer and Harro van Lente. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 17
- Khetriwal, Deepali S., Widmer, Rolf, Kuehr, Ruediger and Huisman, Jaco (2012). One WEEE, many species: lessons from the European experience. Waste Management and Research, 29(9), 954-962
- Sepúlveda, Alejandra, Schluep, Mathias, Renaud, Fabrice G., Streicher, Martin, Kuehr, Ruediger, Hagelüken, Christian and Gerecke, Andreas C. (2010). A Review of the environmental fate and effects of hazardous substances released from electrical and electronic equipment during recycling : examples from China and India. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 30, 8-41
- Robért, Karl-Henrik, Aloisi de Larderel, Jacqueline, Basile, George, Jansen, J. Leo, Kuehr, Ruediger, Price Thomas, Peter, Suzuki, Motoyuki, Hawken, Paul, Schmidt-Bleek, Bio and Wackernagel, Mathis (2002). Strategic sustainable development – selection, design and synergies of applied tools. Journal of Cleaner Production, 10(3), 197-214
Books
- Forti, Vanessa, Balde, Cornelis P., Kuehr, Ruediger and Bel, Garam, The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential (Bonn, Geneva and Rotterdam: United Nations University/United Nations Institute for Training and Research, International Telecommunication Union, and International Solid Waste Association, 2020).
- Forti, Vanessa, Balde, Cornelis P., Kuehr, Ruediger and Bel, Garam, Suivi des déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques à l'échelle mondiale pour 2020 : Quantités, flux et possibilités offertes par l'économie circulaire (Bonn, Genève et Rotterdam: Université des Nations Unies/Institut des Nations Unies pour la formation et la recherche, Union internationale des télécommunications et Association internationale des déchets solides, 2020).
- Forti, Vanessa, Baldé, Kees and Kuehr, Ruediger, E-waste Statistics: Guidelines on Classifications, Reporting and Indicators, second edition (Bonn: United Nations University, 2018).
- Balde, Cornelis P., Forti, Vanessa, Gray, Vanessa, Kuehr, Ruediger and Stegmann, Paul, The Global E-waste Monitor 2017: Quantities, Flows and Resources (Bonn, Geneva, and Vienna: United Nations University, International Telecommunication Union, and International Solid Waste Association, 2017).
- Honda, Shunichi, Khetriwal, Deepali S. and Kuehr, Ruediger, Regional E-waste Monitor: East and Southeast Asia (Bonn: United Nations University and Japanese Ministry of the Environment, 2016).
- Balde, Cornelis P., Kuehr, Ruediger, Blumenthal, K., Fondeur Gill, S., Kern, M., Micheli, P., E. Magpantay and Huisman, Jaco, E-waste statistics – Guidelines on classification, reporting and indicators”, United Nations University, IAS – SCYCLE, Bonn (Germany) 2015, 51 pages (ISBN Print: 978-92-808-4553-2)(with C.P. Balde, K. Blumenthal, S. Fondeur Gill, M. Kern, P. Micheli, E (Bonn: UNU, 2015).
- Balde, Cornelis P., Wang, Feng, Kuehr, Ruediger and Huisman, Jaco, The Global E-waste Monitor 2014: Quantities, flows and resources (Tokyo & Bonn: United Nations University, 2015).
- Solving the E-waste Problem: An Interdisciplinary Compilation of International E-waste Research, Research presented at the NVMP-StEP E-waste Summer Schools 2009 and 2010, ed. Khetriwal, Deepali S., Luepschen, Claudia and Kuehr, Ruediger (Tokyo & Bonn: Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) Initiative & United Nations University, 2013).
- Kuehr, Ruediger, Japan’s Transnational Environmental Policies. The Case of Environmental Technology Transfer to Newly Industrializing Countries (Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang GmbH – International Academic Publishers, 2011).
- Computers and the environment: understanding and managing their impacts, ed. Kuehr, Ruediger and Williams, Eric (Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg New York London: Kluwer/Springer, 2003).
- Integrative Approaches towards Sustainability, ed. Kuehr, Ruediger and Suzuki, Motoyuki (Tokyo & Berlin: United Nations University, 2000).
- Small Islands and Sustainable Development, ed. Paoletto, Glen and Kuehr, Ruediger (Tokyo: United Nations University, 1995).
Book Chapters
- Kuehr, Ruediger, “Global perspectives on waste electronics” in Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) handbook, ed. Goodship, Vanessa and Stevels, Ah (, 2012), 1-16.
Reports
- Parajuly, Keshav, Ternald, Daniel and Kuehr, Ruediger (2020). The Future of Electric Vehicles and Material Resources: A Foresight Brief. United Nations University/United Nations Institute for Training and Research and United Nations Environment Programme – International Environmental Technology Centre.
- Parajuly, Keshav, Kuehr, Ruediger, Awasthi, Abhishek Kumar, Fitzpatrick, Colin, Lepawsky, Josh, Smith, Elisabeth, Widmer, Rolf and Zeng, Xianlai (2019). Future E-waste Scenarios. StEP Initiative, UNU ViE-SCYCLE, UNEP IETC.
- Forti, Vanessa, Baldé, Kees and Kuehr, Ruediger (2018). E-waste Statistics: Guidelines on Classifications, Reporting and Indicators, second edition.. United Nations University.
- Baldé, Kees, D',Angelo, Elena, Forti, Vanessa, Kuehr, Ruediger and van den Brink, Susan (2018). Waste Mercury Perspective: 2010-2035 From global to regional. United Nations University and United Nations Industrial Development Organiszation.
- (2017). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) Initiative: Annual Report 2015/2016. United Nations University.
- (2016). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) White Paper: Guiding Principles to Develop E-waste Management Systems and Legislation. United Nations University.
- Fitzpatrick, Colin and Hickey, Stewart (2016). Reuse Potential: Evaluation of Reuse Opportunities within WEEE Compliance Schemes. United Nations University.
- Schluep, Mathias, Spitzbart, Markus and Herbeck, Elisabeth (2016). Business Plan Calculation Tool for Manual Dismantling Facilitie. United Nations University.
- Widmer, Rolf, Schluep, Mathias and Restrepo, Eliette (2016). Leaded Glass from Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs): A Critical Review of Recycling and Disposal Options. United Nations University.
- Fitzpatrick, Colin and Milovantseva, Natalia (2016). Effect of Waste Legislation on TBM of EEE Destined for Reuse: Impact of E-waste Regulations on Reuse Organizations and Possible Future Direction. United Nations University.
- (2015). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) Initiative: Annual Report 2013/2014. United Nations University.
- Wittmann, Annelaure and McCann, Duncan (2015). E-waste Prevention, Take-back System Design and Policy Approaches. United Nations University.
- Magalini, Federico, Kuehr, Ruediger and Balde, Cornelis P. (2015). eWaste in Latin America: Statistical analysis and policy recommendations. GSMA.
- Luepschen, Claudia, Kuehr, Ruediger and Magalini, Federico (2014). ZeroWIN: final report on policy recommendations and implications. ZeroWIN project / European Commission.
- (2014). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) White Paper: Recommendations for Standards Development for Collection, Storage, Transport and Treatment of E-waste. United Nations University.
- (2014). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) White Paper: One Global Definition of E-waste. United Nations University.
- Khan, Sabaa A. (2014). Differentiating EEE products and Wastes. United Nations University.
- Manhart, Andreas, Amera, Tadesse and Belay, Mehari (2013). E-waste Country Study Ethiopia. United Nations University.
- (2013). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) Initiative: Annual Report 2012/2013. United Nations University.
- Salehabadi, Djahane (2013). Transboundary Movements of Discarded Electrical and Electronic Equipment. United Nations University.
- Luepschen, Claudia, Kuehr, Ruediger and Magalini, Federico (2013). Towards zero waste in industrial networks – policy recommendations from the ZeroWIN project. UNU Policy Brief. United Nations University.
- Wang, Feng, Kuehr, Ruediger, Ahlquist, Daniel and Li, Jinhui (2013). E-waste in China: a country report. StEP Green Paper Series. United Nations University.
- (2012). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) Initiative: Annual Report 2011. United Nations University.
- Kuehr, Ruediger, Whitla, Oliver and Wäger, Patrick (2012). International policy response towards potential supply and demand distortions of scarce metals. United Nations University.
- Deubzer, Otmar (2012). Recommendations on Standards for Collection, Storage, Transport and Treatment of E-waste: Principles, Requirements and Conformity Assessment. United Nations University.
- Gossart, Cédric (2011). StEP Green Paper on E-waste Indicators. United Nations University.
- (2011). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) Initiative: Annual Report 2010. United Nations University.
- Chancerel, Perrine and Schischke, Karsten (2011). Worldwide Impacts of Substance Restrictions of ICT Equipment. United Nations University.
- (2010). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) White Paper: On the Revision on EU’s WEEE Directive – COM(2008)810 final. United Nations University.
- (2009). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) White Paper: E-waste Take-Back System Design and Policy Approaches. United Nations University.
- (2009). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) White Paper: One Global Understanding of Re-Use — Common Definitions. United Nations University.
- (2009). Solving the E-waste Problem (Step) Initiative: Annual Report 2008. United Nations University.
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- E-Waste Academies
- E-Waste Quantification
- Countering Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Illegal Trade (CWIT)
- ProSUM – ProSUM – Prospecting secondary raw materials in the urban mine and mining waste
- ZeroWIN – Towards Zero Waste in Industrial Networks
- DOTCOM Waste
- Solutions for CRitical Raw materials – a European Expert Network — SCRREEN
- Towards a World Forum on Raw Materials (FORAM)
- CEWASTE – Voluntary certification scheme for waste treatment
- WasteForce – Waste Enforcement Forensics and Capacity Building