A New Chapter for Sustainability—Advancing Our Shared Mission

Dear Colleagues, Contributors, and Readers,

It is with great honor and deep sense of responsibility that I begin my tenure as Editor-in-Chief of Sustainability. I step into this role with enthusiasm, inspired by the journal’s rich legacy and the vibrant community that has supported its mission since its inception.

Sustainability has grown into a globally recognized, peer-reviewed, open access platform for interdisciplinary research that explores the environmental, technical, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of sustainable development. It continues to be a forum where rigorous scientific inquiry meets practical insight, addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities of our time.

As Editor-in-Chief, I am committed to building on the journal’s strengths by fostering excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in sustainable research. Together with our esteemed Section Editors and Editorial Board, we aim to continue delivering high-quality, impactful, and transparent scholarship that not only informs but also drives change in academia, policy, industry, and society.

1. A Journal Structured for Clarity and Impact

I would like to take this opportunity to remind and encourage all prospective authors to take full advantage of the journal’s structure. Sustainability is organized into a wide range of thematic sections—each led by expert Section Editors who oversee submissions within their specialized domains. These sections represent the multifaceted nature of sustainability, ranging from Environmental Sustainability and Applications to Sustainable Products and Services, reflecting our commitment to a comprehensive and transdisciplinary approach. Moving forward, my plan is to work directly with Section Editors with a goal to continue increasing the rigor of our review process and the quality of the science being published in Sustainability.

When preparing your manuscript for submission, I kindly urge you to carefully consider the most relevant section for your work. Doing so ensures that your paper is evaluated by editors and reviewers who are best equipped to appreciate and assess its specific contribution. This alignment not only facilitates a more efficient peer-review process but also enhances the visibility and impact of your research within the appropriate scholarly community. Further, please make efforts to establish and clearly define the connections between your research and the tenets of sustainability science. By doing so, we can increase impact and cohesion across all thematic sections.

2. Special Issues: Targeted Platforms for Emerging Themes

Additionally, we invite you to explore and contribute to the various Special Issues curated within each section. We will strive to secure strategically targeted Special Issues that address timely and emerging topics in sustainability science and practice and are approved and managed by the responsible Section Editors. They offer focused avenues for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the consolidation of scholarly advancements in rapidly evolving fields.

Publishing in a Special Issue can amplify the reach of your work, connect you with a network of like-minded researchers, and position your research within ongoing global conversations. I strongly encourage authors to think strategically when considering these targeted opportunities both when submitting original research and when proposing new Special Issue topics.

3. Our Shared Commitment to Open Science

As an open access journal, Sustainability remains steadfast in its support for open science. We advocate for transparency, reproducibility, and the dissemination of research without barriers. Authors are encouraged to provide full experimental and methodological details, in line with our commitment to high-quality, accessible science that informs meaningful action. With the emergence of AI and other tools to facilitate technical writing and research communication, such an emphasis on open science and transparency is more important than ever for our community and for Sustainability.

4. Looking Ahead

I am excited to embark on this journey alongside such a dedicated and diverse community. Let us continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainability research, guided by scientific rigor, creative inquiry, and a shared commitment to a more equitable and resilient world.

I look forward to your contributions, collaborations, and continued support in advancing the mission of Sustainability.