Simon Bolwig

The Kenyan dairy sector plays a crucial role in the national economy, yet it faces challenges related to the low-value utilization of by-products such as whey, leading to economic inefficiencies and environmental burdens. This study applies an expanded cost–benefit analysis (CBA) framework that integrates environmental and social externalities—using a value-transfer approach—to evaluate the economic feasibility of whey valorisation at selected dairy-processing facilities in Kenya.By systematically assessing production, processing, and marketing costs against both market and non-market benefits, this research provides data-driven insights for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders. The study examines how dairy processors convert whey into high-value products, including whey yogurt, smoothies, and ricotta cheese, all while achieving financial viability, using net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and benefit-cost ratio (BCR). Sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulations confirms the robustness of financial outcomes, while the inclusion of externalities—greenhouse-gas reduction, wastewater pollution avoidance, renewable energy recovery, and rural employment creation—raises total social net benefits by approximately 12–18%.By positioning whey valorisation within a circular economy framework, this study highlights the potential to minimize waste and advance Kenya’s climate, food-security, and bioeconomy goals. The findings present a strong case for targeted policy measures, including investment incentives, cooperative processing models, and green-technology support and certification, to scale sustainable whey valorisation. Overall, this research demonstrates how internalizing environmental and social externalities strengthens the business and policy rationale for a low-carbon, inclusive dairy transformation.

Purpose In Kenya, a growing dairy sector anticipates increased demand for processed products like cheese. Whey, a significant by-product of dairy processing, can substitute milk in dairy products reducing environmental pressures from milk production. Additionally, whey management practices, including occasional discharge into aquatic environments, contribute to harmful eutrophication. No quantification of environmental effects of whey valorization in dairy products, however, exists in the scientific literature. Methods Utilizing dairy product formulations and current whey management estimates, we conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate net environmental effects of replacing milk-based products with whey-based alternatives. The assessment focused on climate change, eutrophication, and land use impacts. Results Findings indicate potential environmental benefits across all impact categories. Substituting milk with whey could avoid approximately 1.2 kg CO₂-equivalent emissions, 1 g of phosphorus-equivalent eutrophication, and 6 m²·year of land use per kilogram of product. Extrapolating results to national whey quantities, utilizing 10% of projected end-of-decade whey to replace milk-based products could yield environmental savings of approximately 6,000 tonnes CO₂-equivalent, 5,000 kg phosphorus-equivalent, and 3,000 hectare·years of land use. Conclusion The environmental rationale for promoting the development and production of whey-based dairy products in Kenya has been quantified. While the conclusion is robust, results are sensitive to the proportion of whey discharged into the environment, the phosphorus removal efficiency in wastewater treatment, and the substitutability between products. These factors warrant careful consideration and improved data collection in Kenya's expanding dairy industry and in whey valorization contexts where this study’s approach is reusable.

Actions needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change have often synergies and trade-offs with sectoral and sustainable development priorities, and the recent focus on SDGs and sustainable transitions highlights the need to integrate climate action into other policy spheres. This process is known as climate policy integration (CPI) or climate mainstreaming. Enhancing its understanding as a public policy making process can provide insights for its operationalization, which becomes relevant in the context of the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions in the global South. This paper aims to enhance the understanding of the how windows of opportunity for CPI are formed by drawing on elements from the multiple streams framework (MSF) developed by John Kingdon. This paper analyses grey literature regarding two cases of climate mainstreaming initiatives implemented by international cooperation organizations. The results show that relevant elements from the MSF, such as, attachment to other high-profile national issues, timing the integration with routine institutional procedures, and the presence of policy entrepreneurs, have been catalysing factors for CPI in the context of such initiatives. However, we can only assess the value of this analytical framework for CPI by testing it systematically through case studies in a variety of contexts.

This paper evaluates how policy shaped the emergence of electric mobility in three countries, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark, between 2010 and 2015. Whereas previous studies have looked at the effects of separate policy instruments, this paper gives insights in the interaction effects of instruments on the diffusion of battery electric cars between five policy areas. Based on analysis of synergetic, contradictory and pre-conditional effects, we find that an effective policy mix includes: fiscal incentives that mirror the actual carbon footprint of the respective vehicles; non-fiscal demand-side incentives; centrally financed and/or coordinated charging infrastructure; clarity regarding the choice of technology that will be supported. Moreover, development of a domestic, e-mobility-related industry and a high share of renewable energy strengthens the legitimization of e-mobility support. The findings help designing policy mixes in the transition to electric mobility.