**Green Impact: Baby Friendly Gold 'Breastfeeding* and sustainability' project**

As a department we are delighted to be currently participating in the Green Impact scheme hosted at the University as part of the Sustainability at York institutional agenda. We are currently undertaking our 'Breastfeeding and sustainability' Green Impact Project which aims to highlight the myriad sustainability benefits of breastfeeding and its positive impact on climate change. This Green Impact project supports progression activities for our unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Departmental accreditation as Baby Friendly Gold.

Our activities include enhancing education on breastfeeding and sustainability in our pre-registration midwifery education curriculum, and raising awareness and sharing information amongst our university community of staff students and visitors. We are continuing to engage with our local community too, hosting monthly antenatal breastfeeding workshops led by local, volunteer run Treasure Chest Breastfeeding Group (York).

If you are a student or staff member who is interested in joining our 'Breastfeeding* and sustainability' project, we would love to hear from you - please email our Departmental BFI Lead helen.bedford@york.ac.uk

*Whilst we use the term breastfeeding on these pages, we acknowledge that chestfeeding is a preferred term for some people and we support breastfeeding and chestfeeding.

Breastfeeding and Climate Change: A public health and sustainability solution

Event Date: Thursday 28 May 2026, 6pm to 7.30pm

Event details

Department of Health Sciences Lecture

Climate change poses an increasing threat to human health, yet infant feeding is rarely considered within sustainability discussions. This presentation explores the interconnection between breastfeeding and climate change, showing how breastfeeding supports maternal and infant health while contributing to a low‑carbon, resilient and equitable food system.

Drawing on the work of the Yorkshire & Humber Breastfeeding and Climate Change (BF&CC) subgroup, the lecture sets out the current climate and public health context, examines the environmental impact of artificial formula milk production, and considers the influence of formula marketing. It highlights the importance of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast‑milk Substitutes and the wider benefits of protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

The lecture concludes with practical examples and a clear call to action for professionals, communities and systems to recognise breastfeeding as a vital component of both climate action and public health solutions.

6pm - Refreshments
6.30pm - talk

Further information

This lecture is being hosted as part of the Department of Health Sciences’ Green Impact project on breastfeeding and sustainability, and supports our Departmental unicef UK Baby Friendly Gold accreditation annual progression activities.

About the speaker

Sally Goodwin-Mills is an Advanced Health Improvement Specialist in Infant Feeding and Maternity at Leeds City Council, with over 20 years’ experience working in Public Health. She qualified as a Children’s Nurse in 1995 and has since gained further professional qualifications as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Qualified Leader.

Sally played a pivotal role in leading the Leeds 0–19 Public Health Integrated Nursing Service to achieve Baby Friendly Initiative Gold accreditation, as well as supporting all 56 Leeds Children’s Centres to attain and maintain full BFI accreditation. She continues to drive innovation and quality improvement across infant feeding and early years services.

As the current Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber National Infant Feeding Network (NIFN), Sally leads several special interest sub-groups, including the Breastfeeding and Climate Change group. She is passionate about sharing best practice, learning collaboratively, and championing system-wide approaches to improving infant feeding outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

Location

In-person only
Room V/N/045, Vanbrugh College, Campus West, University of York (Map)

Audience

Open to alumni, staff, students, the public

Admission

Free admission, booking required

Book your place via Eventbrite