Journal profile · Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Global and Planetary Change
ISSN 0921-8181 · eISSN 1872-6364 · Elsevier · NETHERLANDS · Monthly · Founded 1989
Global and Planetary Change: CAS Zone 1 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal); impact factor 4.73; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,120; review about 175 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: fairly hard; 491 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Global and Planetary Change is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 1 of Earth Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Geology and Paleoclimatology Research, Climate variability and models and Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils, together about 38.3% of its articles. Its main subfields are Atmospheric Science. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Global and Planetary Change publishes high-quality studies addressing all aspects of Earth System Science. The objective of the journal is to develop a multi-disciplinary understanding of planetary change and to improve knowledge of processes relevant at a global-scale. As such, the journal focuses equally on the geological and historical past as well as present-day and future scenarios based on observational records, experimental studies, and/or modelling. Regional or process-oriented studies are welcome provided that they are useful for understanding aspects of the Earth System.Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, studies of the dynamic Deep Earth and lithosphere to (near-)surface processes; changes in the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere; climate change, the carbon cycle, and sea level fluctuations; global ecology, biogeography, and extinction; planetary boundaries and ecosystem resilience/thresholds; and global change impacts on food security, water resources, and urban sustainability.Key criteria for the consideration of manuscripts include (a) their relevance for the global scientific community and/or (b) their wider implications for global-scale problems, preferably combined with (c) having a significance beyond a single discipline. Manuscripts may be submitted as either original research papers or as authoritative review articles. Every effort should be made to present research outcomes in a way that is understandable for a broad international readership.Please ensure your submission fulfils the following checklist of requirements to maximise the likelihood of consideration:A title and abstract that emphases its relevance to global-scale process and/or eventsA list of at least 5 potential reviewers that includes scientists from outside your network selected from across the global communityA short cover letter that concisely explains the wider global implications of your work
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Editor-in-chief Alan HaywoodPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 23 in mainland China (about 25%); most named Mainland China 23, United States 17, India 10, United Kingdom 8, Germany 4 (93 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Geology and Paleoclimatology ResearchEarth and Planetary Sciences22.2%
- Climate variability and modelsEnvironmental Science8.4%
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsEarth and Planetary Sciences7.6%
- Cryospheric studies and observationsEarth and Planetary Sciences6.1%
- Geological formations and processesEarth and Planetary Sciences5.6%
- Geological and Geochemical AnalysisEarth and Planetary Sciences4.5%
- Climate change and permafrostEarth and Planetary Sciences4%
- Methane Hydrates and Related PhenomenaEnvironmental Science4%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Geography, Physical | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Geography, Physical | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Geography, Physical | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Geosciences, Multidisciplinary | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
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
- 4.73LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 4.7Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 7LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 7Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.48LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.33LetPub ·
- h-index
- 114LetPub ·
- h-index
- 204OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 3,416OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 3.7OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 10.6%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 19.72%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 452LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 5,231 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 374 | 122 | 182 |
| 2025 | 491 | 135 | 1,684 |
| 2024 | 266 | 88 | 2,322 |
| 2023 | 243 | 91 | 3,223 |
| 2022 | 213 | 92 | 3,989 |
| 2021 | 248 | 116 | 5,771 |
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
175 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 4.5 months
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)
- about 4.5 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- Fairly hardLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 4 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 75 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 175 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 3 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 3,120 / EUR 2,920 / GBP 2,500 / JPY 386,970 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,390 | — | — |
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 papers1, by deadline
Publisher websiteArticle types accepted7
- discussion papersOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.Length not stated
- original research paperOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.Length not stated
- original research papersOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.Length not stated
- reviewOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.Length not stated
- review papersOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.Length not stated
- short communicationOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.Length not stated
- short communicationsOriginal research papers, discussion papers, short communications, review papers.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
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 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
- Monthly
- Founded
- 1989
- ISSN
- 0921-8181
- Electronic ISSN
- 1872-6364
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Global and Planetary Change
What CAS zone is Global and Planetary Change in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Global and Planetary Change is in Zone 1 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Geography, Physical / Geosciences, Multidisciplinary; it is a Top journal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Global and Planetary Change?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 4.73; CiteScore 7, h-index 204.
How long does peer review take at Global and Planetary Change?
The publisher reports about 175 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 4.5 months; the community-reported acceptance is “Fairly hard”. 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.
Where are the editorial board members of Global and Planetary Change based?
Of the 93 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 23 (about 25%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (23), United States (17) and India (10). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Global and Planetary Change?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Global and Planetary Change is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Global and Planetary Change open access, and what is the APC?
Global and Planetary Change is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,120.
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: .