The baby care market is worth about $50bn (£32bn) and businesses working in it come under intense scrutiny. Companies selling formula are accused of luring mothers away from breastfeeding, while others are called out for profiteering.

Our coverage looked at some of the hottest debates in this area, from the benefits of home births, to the incendiary argument over breast milk versus formula. Erik Assadourian, a senior fellow at the Worldwatch Institute, argued that formula should be phased out; Emily Maclean, a student midwife, responded that women should have the right to choose what is best for their child.

Home births are cheaper than hospital ones, but are they also safer? The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says that, in many cases, they are.

Elsewhere, we explore the pleasures and pitfalls of driving electric cars and the institutional racism in the fashion industry.

Here we look at the five most popular pieces that have featured on the social impact hub in 2014.

1. Baby formula has no place in a sustainable future

Baby formula isn’t the best option for babies or the world they enter. Do we need a new global treaty to phase out its use?

2. Home birth: labour in the living room is the sustainable option

There has been a backlash to NHS advice that low-risk second time mothers should have their babies at home, but it’s the best value option.

3. Breastfeeding versus baby formula

Breast isn’t always best. New mums deserve an informed choice – and that includes the right to formula milk.

4. Life with a Leaf: what I learned in four months with an electric car

Electric car sales are skyrocketing, and set to continue apace. What awaits drivers and businesses in the new world of plug-in cars?

5. Does lack of black models on British Vogue cover amount to racism?

The cover of British Vogue hasn’t featured an individual black model since Naomi Campbell 12 years ago.

Get involved!

Let us know your favourite social impact story from 2014. Tweet us @GuardianSustBiz with #GSB2014. To get in touch with ideas for coverage in 2015, email tess.riley@theguardian.com.

The social impact hub is sponsored by Anglo American. All content is editorially independent except for pieces labelled ‘brought to you by’. Find out more here.

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