ILCA recognises that breastmilk is the first food. Breastfeeding has low environmental impact and significant health benefits, but less than half of infants globally are breastfed as recommended. Over 2 million tons of commercial milk formula for infants and young children were sold globally in 2018, generating greenhouse gas emissions of over 14 million tons, and using at least 10 million cubic meters of water, in addition to generating huge amounts of waste in landfills.

Supporting women to breastfeed will reduce formula manufacturing and sales and help mitigate climate change, reduce climate risks to food security, and improve resilience in emergencies.

ILCA calls on member states to support breastfeeding as an environmental imperative and a way to improve climate protection.