Journal profile · Environmental Sciences
Ecological Economics
ISSN 0921-8009 · eISSN 1873-6106 · Elsevier · NETHERLANDS · Semimonthly · Founded 1989
Ecological Economics: CAS Zone 2 · Economics (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 6.13; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,730; review about 274 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 321 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE, SSCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Ecological Economics is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 2 of Economics in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Economic and Environmental Valuation, Climate Change Policy and Economics and Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management, together about 32.3% of its articles. Its main subfields are Economics and Econometrics and Global and Planetary Change. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Transdisciplinary Journal of the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE)The journal is concerned with extending and integrating the understanding of the interfaces and interplay between "nature's household" (ecosystems) and "humanity's household" (the economy). Ecological economics is an interdisciplinary field defined by a set of concrete problems or challenges related to governing economic activity in a way that promotes human well-being, sustainability, and justice. The journal thus emphasizes critical work that draws on and integrates elements of ecological science, economics, and the analysis of values, behaviors, cultural practices, institutional structures, and societal dynamics. The journal is transdisciplinary in spirit and methodologically open, drawing on the insights offered by a variety of intellectual traditions, and appealing to a diverse readership.Specific research areas covered include: valuation of natural resources, sustainable agriculture and development, ecologically integrated technology, integrated ecologic-economic modelling at scales from local to regional to global, implications of thermodynamics for economics and ecology, renewable resource management and conservation, critical assessments of the basic assumptions underlying current economic and ecological paradigms and the implications of alternative assumptions, economic and ecological consequences of genetically engineered organisms, and gene pool inventory and management, alternative principles for valuing natural wealth, integrating natural resources and environmental services into national income and wealth accounts, methods of implementing efficient environmental policies, case studies of economic-ecologic conflict or harmony, etc. New issues in this area are rapidly emerging and will find a ready forum in Ecological Economics.Ecological Economics Sections All submissions to Ecological Economics are reviewed using the general criteria of quality, creativity, originality, accuracy, and contribution to the field. There are several categories of articles to allow for a full range of constructive dialogue.News and Views Topical and timely short pieces reviewed by the editor and/or one outside reviewer at the editor's discretion. May include editorials, letters to the editor, news items, and policy discussions. Maximum 1500 words (600 words for letters).Commentary Essays discussing critical issues. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward quality of the exposition and importance of the issue. Maximum 5000 words.Surveys Examination and review of important general subject areas. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward importance of the subject and clarity of exposition. Maximum 8000 words.Methodological and Ideological Options Research articles devoted to developing new methodologies or investigating the implications of various ideological assumptions. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with criteria weighted toward originality and potential usefulness of the methodology or ideological option. Maximum 8000 words.Analysis Research articles devoted to analysis of important questions in the field. Reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward originality, quality, and accuracy of the analysis, andimportance of the question. Maximum 8000 words.Book Reviews Reviews of recent books in the field. Reviewed by one outside reviewer with criteria weighted toward clarity and accuracy of the review, and importance of the book to the field. Maximum 1200 words.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Environmental Sciences
Editor-in-chief Stefan BaumgärtnerPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 2 in mainland China (about 3%); most named United States 14, United Kingdom 12, Germany 8, Spain 7, India 4 (79 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Economic and Environmental ValuationEconomics, Econometrics and Finance15.9%
- Climate Change Policy and EconomicsEconomics, Econometrics and Finance9.1%
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource ManagementEnvironmental Science7.2%
- Sustainable Development and Environmental PolicyEnvironmental Science7%
- Environmental Impact and SustainabilityEnvironmental Science6.3%
- Land Use and Ecosystem ServicesEnvironmental Science5.5%
- Energy, Environment, Economic GrowthEconomics, Econometrics and Finance5%
- Energy, Environment, and Transportation PoliciesEnergy3.8%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Economics Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Economics | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Economics | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Economics Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Economics | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Economics | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Economics Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Economics | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Economics | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIESSCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 6.13LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 6.7Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 12.4LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 12.4Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.91LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.79LetPub ·
- h-index
- 174LetPub ·
- h-index
- 337OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 6,300OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 6.45OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 6%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 58.08%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 295LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 8,939 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 265 | 178 | 133 |
| 2025 | 321 | 225 | 1,588 |
| 2024 | 332 | 240 | 4,201 |
| 2023 | 276 | 168 | 5,757 |
| 2022 | 322 | 192 | 9,188 |
| 2021 | 313 | 179 | 13,321 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
274 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports 9–18 weeks
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- 9–18 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 5 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 105 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 274 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 11 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,730 / EUR 3,490 / GBP 2,990 / JPY 462,630 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,690 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers3, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare2 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
Article types accepted13, with length limits
- analysisResearch articles devoted to analysis of important questions in the field are reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward originality, q…Length not stated
- book reviewManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…main text ≤ 1,200 words
- commentaryManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- editorialManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- letterManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- letter to the editorManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- letters to the editorManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- methodological and ideological optionsManuscripts devoted to Methodological and Ideological Options develop new methodologies or investigate the implications of various ideological assumptions. They…Length not stated
- news and viewsNews and Views are intended to be topical and timely short pieces reviewed by the editor and/or one outside reviewer at the editor's discretion. These may inclu…Length not stated
- research articleManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- reviewManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- surveyManuscripts should fall into one of seven categories: News and Views, Commentary, Surveys, Methodological and Ideological Options, Analysis, Book Review, Letter…Length not stated
- surveysSurveys examine and review important general subject areas. They are reviewed by two outside reviewers with the criteria weighted toward importance of the subje…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Follow Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed, does not count as prior publication Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Semimonthly
- Founded
- 1989
- ISSN
- 0921-8009
- Electronic ISSN
- 1873-6106
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ecological Economics
What CAS zone is Ecological Economics in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Ecological Economics is in Zone 2 of Economics, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Ecology / Economics / Environmental Sciences / Environmental Studies. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of Economics. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Ecological Economics?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 6.13; CiteScore 12.4, h-index 337.
How long does peer review take at Ecological Economics?
The publisher reports about 274 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of 9–18 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Ecological Economics?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Ecological Economics based?
Of the 79 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 2 (about 3%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (14), United Kingdom (12) and Germany (8). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Ecological Economics?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Ecological Economics is indexed in SCIE, SSCI and Scopus.
Is Ecological Economics open access, and what is the APC?
Ecological Economics is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,730.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .