There is hardly a magazine published in the G+J empire which does not carry environmental reporting in one way or other. Articles in STERN, GEO, BRIGITTE and ELTERN uncover environmental scandals, support initiatives and give everyday tips for better protection of the environment. Business magazines like CAPITAL and IMPULSE support outstanding environmental innovations pioneered by industry. Ecological investment tips in magazines like BÖRSE ONLINE have met with a very good reception. Climate change is one the most discussed topic. For example, the 12th edition of STERN in 2007 appeared with the cover story: "How to save the climate." in a startling green instead of its traditional red. The FINANCIAL TIMES Deutschland ran an article entitled "Eco-funds - not just for the 80's generation". P.M. MAGAZIN from Munich supported a whole campaign month in November 2007 called "Klimaherbst" (The Autumn Days of Our Climate). And of course GEO is also active in the climate debate: "Germany put to the test. What do the 16 federal states do to protect the climate?" was the December 2007 cover story. The online issue of the children´s magazine GEOLINO has its own environmental campaign which won the German Environmental Aid Association media award 2007.

G+J titles advocate explanation and implementation of “sustainability” in the private sector using special issues and guidebook formats. One example is the current special issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Collector's Edition No. 11: “Energy – Ways into the Future” and the insert “66 energy-saving tips” in the Schöner Wohnen series.

GEO has been very ecologically active for a long time. The "GEO saves the Rainforest" initiative is legendary. The charity was established back in 1989 and has repeatedly launched campaigns for the preservation of the rainforests and for improving the economic and social living conditions of its inhabitants. It has initiated or promoted over 50 projects in tropical countries to date. Its environmental activities include the "GEO Day of Biodiversity." This magazine campaign "aims to raise awareness of the relevance of biodiversity and promote knowledge about the interactions of nature." GEO's Day of Diversity of Species is another initiative aimed at protecting endangered species living on our own doorstep. At the first Biodiversity Day in June 1999, over 2,000 different species were identified in a clearly defined region in the vicinity of Lübeck. Over 100 zoologists and botanists - aided by 32 children - made a comprehensive inventory of part of the German landscape.

G+J's environment management can only be successful if the relevant ecological subject matter is made known to as wide a cross-section of the population as possible. This requires both internal and external PR work. Members of G+J staff receive information on environmental activities internally through the house newspaper Der Grüne Dienst and through the G+J Intranet.

Gruner + Jahr attaches great importance to the exchange of ideas and experience with other companies, environmental associations and scientists. In the spring of 1991 it became a member of the Federal German Working Committee for Environment Conscious Management (B.A.U.M.), to which over 500 German companies now belong. B.A.U.M.'s declared objective is the promotion of environment-conscious management in industry. Together with the "German Club of Rome", it introduced an Environment Prize for Integrated Implementation of Environmental Concepts in 1993, which was awarded to Gruner + Jahr in October 1993 and received in its name by the company's Environment Officer.

One important feature of our external communication activities is our dialog with suppliers, other publishers and associations in which ecological aspects of subjects relating to the international paper trade are addressed. We also have intensive and regular contacts with environmental associations like WWF and Greenpeace. One highly topical theme is how to give effective protection to the world's last remaining virgin forests.