Industrial symbiosis and industrial policy for sustainable development in Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze how the concept of circular economy and especially the business model of industrial symbiosis can contribute to sustainable development in Uganda. We aim to add to emerging debates around green industrial policies by shedding light on a low-cost solution that can potentially promote a more sustainable industrialization in the Sub-Saharan African context. After sketching the regulatory and policy environment in Uganda, three indicative examples of industrial symbiosis in Uganda are analyzed, based on the result of field research and an online survey. We have found significant mismatch between the supply side of green industrial policies in Uganda (government aims and measures), and the demand side, what local green entrepreneurs would need to improve their competitiveness. Only an incentive and regulatory framework, that takes into account local specificities, builds upon the exploration of existing local good practices and incorporates bottom-up initiatives can successfully promote green development in low-income economies.

Evolution of Industrial Ecology and Analysis of Influencing Factors: The Yellow River Basin in China

“…By taking the environment into full consideration in the process of production and consumption and by designing a series of policies and regulations, an industrial symbiosis was established among enterprises in the industrial zone, and the mutual digestion of production waste, byproducts, and energy is realized among enterprises in the zone, which eventually achieved the goal of a closed cycle of resources, eliminating waste and improving the environment [14]. This practice focusing on the idea of IE among enterprises in industrial parks has subsequently been emphasized and developed in China [15,16], Australia [17], France [18], India [19], and Uganda [20], making industrial symbiosis the most important component and representative field of IE.…”

Industrial Symbiosis and Circularization: Optimal Shelf Life of Waste-based Briquettes

“…The excessive bio waste streams available includes but not limited to a) coconut husk [10], b) sawdust [11], c) palm kernel shell [12], and d) cocoa pod [13] which can be converted into useful energy products as shown in fig 1. This energy-based industrial symbiosis business models have been tried and tested in other nations, including Kenya and Uganda [14], [15], as a double-edged strategy to increase job creation for youth and provide briquette cooking options for households that still use dirty fuels. However, one of the limitations associated with waste-based briquettes have identified with reduction in efficiency when stored for a long period of time under varied storage conditions and other transportation related issues [7], [16].…”