Breastfeeding is an essential component of public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. A new proposal aims to revolutionize the way we view breastfeeding by incorporating it into global economic systems and addressing the environmental impact of formula feeding.
The proposal, published in the World Health Organisation Bulletin, suggests that high-income countries should pay for clean energy projects in lower- and middle-income countries in exchange for credits to lower their greenhouse gas emissions. This carbon offsetting approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of formula production, which contributes to a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in the food system.
Economist Julie Smith is at the forefront of this proposal, advocating for the recognition of breastfeeding as a valuable resource. She highlights that women produce 35.6 billion litres of breast milk annually, with an estimated value of over $3.5 trillion. Breast milk not only provides significant health benefits to babies but also contributes to long-term economic outcomes by reducing healthcare costs and improving workforce productivity.
Despite the clear benefits of breastfeeding, governments often neglect to invest in programs that promote and support breastfeeding. As a result, the global economy loses out on $341.3 billion worth of health and development outcomes each year. Smith argues that the current GDP system fails to account for the economic contributions of unpaid work like breastfeeding, while incentivizing the sales of carbon-emitting baby formula.
The proposal to integrate breastfeeding into economic frameworks is not only about carbon pricing breast milk but also about recognizing the invaluable contributions of women and the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding. By investing in breastfeeding support systems, governments can improve public health outcomes, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic development. It’s time to rethink the value of breastfeeding and prioritize the well-being of future generations and the planet. Breastfeeding is not only beneficial for the health of babies and mothers but also for the economy. According to estimates, every $1 invested in boosting breastfeeding could generate $35, injecting billions into the economy. This money could be directed towards programs that support breastfeeding, such as paid maternity leave and hospitals with trained staff and facilities for breastfeeding. It could also be used to regulate baby formula companies, as researchers have found that the advertising of formula plays a significant role in low breastfeeding rates.
In South Africa, strict laws govern the advertising of formula, prohibiting marketing for children under 36 months and banning free samples or promotions in stores or clinics. However, companies often ignore these regulations without facing consequences. Despite the potential economic benefits of investing in breastfeeding, there are dissenters who argue that carbon offset schemes could encourage polluters to keep polluting.
Environmentalists raise concerns that carbon offset schemes may not effectively reduce emissions and could lead to negative outcomes. Additionally, holding developing countries accountable for their climate damages has proven to be a challenging task. International climate finance plans, such as those proposed by the World Bank, may offer a solution, although the specifics of how these plans will work remain unclear.
Investing in breastfeeding, similar to investing in clean energy projects, has significant payoffs for society as a whole. However, it may not be welcomed by baby formula companies who could stand to lose from increased support for breastfeeding. Overall, prioritizing breastfeeding as an essential component of public health and economic development could yield long-term benefits for individuals, communities, and economies.
This article was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. To stay updated on health-related news and developments, sign up for their newsletter.
