In its annual environmental progress report, Hachette Book Group detailed the gains it has made in 2013 and 2014 in terms of its various initiatives.

The publisher reported that it reduced its carbon footprint by 13% in 2013, more than double its target. Over the past four years, HBG has made a cumulative reduction of its carbon footprint by 53%. In 2009, HBG pledged to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions linked to publishing operations (including paper) 20% by 2020, as part of a new environmental policy. The publisher adjusted this target to an average of 5% reduction annually, through 2015, for a cumulative 50% reduction in the six years since it established the policy, which it has now exceeded. HBG adjusted the goal because it believes "that the rapid pace of marketplace changes makes a shorter-term goal more prudent," according to the report.

HBG also met its goal to increase the use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) paper in its books to 90% of overall paper usage ahead of schedule. The target was reached by the end of 2014, and HBG is now also tracking its SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) usage – combining FSC and SFI, 97% of HBG’s overall paper usage is made from certified fiber.

The goal to up its use of recycled fiber in HBG books to 20% of overall paper use was not met in the last year, when HBG’s recycled fiber stayed flat at 9% of overall paper usage. The publisher said it will "continue to explore alternate sources of supply to meet the challenge of securing adequate recycled fiber for our books."

HBG had a "big win"last year with the 15% energy reduction between its New York and Boston offices. The publisher also noted that its new offices in New York is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certified building, and the new office in Boston is a LEED Gold Certified building. The building's ratings mean that they are among the most energy efficient in their respective cities, according to HBG.

“It’s gratifying to see continuous progress toward our green goals," said HBG CEO Michael Pietsch. "As a division of Hachette Livre, a global company that holds social and environmental responsibility as one of its central values, we are focused on making Hachette as environmentally responsible as possible, and I look forward to our continued improvement in this area.”