State of Mexico Urges Breastfeeding to Boost Health, Cut CO2

The State of Mexico is launching an initiative to encourage breastfeeding, amid findings that baby formula has twice the carbon footprint of breast milk and poses risks to both public health and the environment. The initiative was discussed during a workshop titled “Let's Prioritize Breastfeeding, Building Sustainable Support Systems,” hosted by state authorities as part of World Breastfeeding Week. The event brought together health professionals, public officials, and early childhood development specialists to promote policy-based institutional support for breastfeeding across the state.

At the workshop, participants highlighted a 2019 Australian study which found that each kilogram of ready-to-feed infant formula generates between 11 and 14 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent emissions. In contrast, one kilogram of breast milk results in only 5.9 to 6.9 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent—even when accounting for the extra caloric needs of breastfeeding mothers. 

The study, authored by Australian National University’s Julie P. Smith, attributes the high emissions from formula production primarily to the dairy industry. Producing formula involves land clearing, extensive water use, farming-related pollution, and methane emissions, in addition to energy and water waste throughout manufacturing and distribution.

According to Smith, “Formula feeding is a maladaptive practice in the face of contemporary global environmental and population health challenges,” while “breastfeeding protection, support, and promotion help safeguard planetary and human health by minimizing environmental harm.” 

Participants emphasized the urgency of these findings given Mexico’s significant health and environmental challenges. María Radilla Vázquez, National Health and Nutrition Officer, UNICEF Mexico, noted at the workshop that 820,000 children under five die annually due to nutritional deficiencies. She also reported that formula production can generate over 4,000 times more greenhouse gas emissions than breastfeeding.

State of Mexico officials highlighted the operation of nine milk banks across the state that provide breast milk to infants who cannot be breastfed directly. They also outlined plans to install lactation rooms in workplaces and community spaces to encourage breastfeeding outside the home.

The State of Mexico’s policy initiative builds on a 2016 US study that estimated annual emissions from powdered formula sales in Mexico at 435,820 tons of CO₂ equivalent. By comparison, Canada’s emissions were 70,256 tons, and the United States recorded 655,956 tons. The study calculated a per capita emissions rate for Mexican infants and toddlers of 62.29 kg of CO₂ equivalent—0.25 kg higher than the US and 5.48 kg higher than Canada. These figures were derived by estimating emissions from producing formula ingredients such as milk powder, lactose, glucose, and various oils.

According to UNICEF, only 36% of Mexican babies receive breastmilk at six months, compared to about half in both the United States and Canada. This contrasts with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations that babies continue breastfeeding until age two, noting that formula is unnecessary and unsuitable as a replacement.