Author Guidelines

About the Journal

Aims and Scope

Green and Sustainable Environments aims to advance scienctific knowledge and practical implementatation of nature based solutions and green infrastructure systems that contribute to enviromental sustainability, climate resilience, and improved quality of life. The journal provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to share innovative approaches, lessons learned, and evidence-based strategies for creating greener and more sustainable environments, with special attention to the unique challenges and opportunities in tropical regions and developing countries.

Topics of Interest

• Green infrastructure and nature based solutions
• Sustainable build environment
• Urban ecology and ecosystem services
• Climate resilience and adaptation
• Water and wastewater management
• Landscape and ecosystem restoration
• Environmental justice and equity
• Social and community dimensions

Article Types

• Original Research Articles: Novel research with significant contributions to the field of green and sustainable environments
• Review Articles: Comprehensive reviews of state-of-the-art (maximum 10,000 words)
• Short Communications: Brief reports on new research findings or innovative ideas (maximum 5,000 words)
• Case Studies: Detailed case studies or real-world applications of green and sustainable practices (maximum 10,000 words)

Peer Review Process

This journal follows a single-blind peer review process. All submission will initially be assessed by our editors to determine suitability for publication in this journal. If suitable, it will be peer reviewed by at least two anonymous reviewers. The reviewers will be selected from the editorial board and a panel of external experts. The reviewers will be asked to evaluate the manuscript based on its originality, significance, methodology, and clarity. The reviewers will be asked to provide a detailed report with their recommendations for the manuscript. The decision to accept or reject the manuscript will be made by the editors based on the reviews and the recommendations of the editors.

Our editorial board are not involved in making decisions about the papers in which they have written themselves, have been written by colleagues, or have a close relationship with the authors, relate to products or sevices in which they have an interest. Any such submissions will be subject to the journal's common procedures and peer review will be handled independently by the editor involved and their research group.

Special issue and article collections

Submission to special issues and article collections undergo a rigorous peer review process that maintains the same high standards as applied to regular manuscripts submissions. However, the editorial workflow incorporates specific arrangements to accomodate the specialized natur of these thematic publications. For sepcial issue and article collections, the appointed guest editors assumes full responsibility for managing the peer review process. While the guest editor exercises full authority in manging the review process, the Editor-in-Chief maintains overarching oversight to ensure adherence to the journal's established standards.

Open Access Policy

This journal is committed to the principles of open access and operates under a gold open access model. All articles published in this journal are made freely available to readers immediately upon publication, without subscription fees or access barriers. The journal's sustainability is maintained through Article Processing Charges (APCs) paid by the authors or their institutions, ensuring that research remians accessible to the global scholarly community.

Open Access Model

This journal provides immediate open access to all published content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. All articles are published under open access license, allowing readers to access, download, and share research without restriction.

Article Processing Charges (APCs)

To support the cost of peer review, editorial management, production, and online hosting, authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APCs) upon acceptance of their manuscript.

APC Structure

The APC structure is as follows:

• Standard APC: USD $100 (1,000,000 IDR)
• Payment is due: Upon acceptance of the manuscript, prior to publication.
• Invoicing: The invoice will be sent to the corresponding author after acceptance of the manuscript.

Publication Ethics and Policies

Introduction

Green and Sustainable Environments is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and adheres to the guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). This statement outlines the ethical responsibilities and expectations for all parties involved in the publication process: authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher.

The journal is dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record and takes allegations of misconduct seriously. All stakeholders are expected to adhere to these ethical standards to maintain trust in the scientific process and the credibility of published research.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Originality and Plagiarism

Authors must ensure that their submitted work is entirely original. Any work or words from other sources must be appropriately cited and quoted. Plagiarism in all its forms constitutes unethical behaviour and is unacceptable.

Plagiarism Screening: All submissions are screened using iThenticate plagiarism detection software. Manuscripts with a similarity index exceeding 20% (excluding references and methodology sections) will be subject to editorial review and may be rejected without peer review. Authors are encouraged to check their manuscripts for unintentional plagiarism before submission.

Forms of plagiarism include but are not limited to:

• Direct copying of text without proper attribution
• Paraphrasing another's work without citation
• Self-plagiarism (reusing substantial portions of one's own previously published work)
• Mosaic plagiarism (piecing together uncited phrases from multiple sources)

Authorship and Contributorship

Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, analysis, or interpretation of the reported study. All those who have made substantial contributions should be listed as co-authors.

Criteria for Authorship (based on ICMJE guidelines):

1. Substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data
2. Drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content
3. Final approval of the version to be published
4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work

All four criteria must be met to qualify for authorship.

Contributors who do not meet all four criteria should be acknowledged in the Acknowledgments section. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate co-authors are included and that all co-authors have approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed to its submission.

Authorship Disputes: Changes to authorship (adding, removing, or reordering authors) after submission require written consent from all authors. The journal follows COPE guidelines for handling authorship disputes. For detailed procedures, refer to COPE Flowchart: https://publicationethics.org/authorship

Conflicts of Interest and Funding Disclosure

Authors must disclose all financial and non-financial competing interests that could be perceived to influence the interpretation or presentation of their research. This includes but is not limited to:

• Funding sources for the research
• Employment or consultancies
• Stock ownership or honoraria
• Paid expert testimony
• Patent applications or registrations
• Personal relationships with relevant organizations or individuals

Even if authors believe there are no conflicts, they must explicitly state "The authors declare no conflicts of interest" in their manuscript.

Data Access and Retention

Authors are expected to retain raw data related to their manuscript and provide it to the editorial office or reviewers upon request during the peer review and publication process. Data should be retained for a reasonable period after publication (minimum 5 years) to address any questions about the research.

Data Availability Statement

To promote research transparency and reproducibility, authors are strongly encouraged to include a Data Availability Statement indicating how readers can access the data underlying their findings. Acceptable statements include:

• Publicly available: "The data supporting the findings of this study are openly available in [repository name] at [DOI/URL]"
• Available on request: "The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request"
• Restricted access: "The data are not publicly available due to [privacy/ethical/legal restrictions]"
• No new data generated: "No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article"

The journal recognizes that certain environmental data (e.g., exact locations of endangered species, proprietary industry data) may require restricted access for ethical or legal reasons.

Recommended repositories for environmental and sustainability research:

• Zenodo (https://zenodo.org)
• Figshare (https://figshare.com)
• Dryad (https://datadryad.org)
• PANGAEA (https://pangaea.de) - for Earth & Environmental data
• Institutional repositories

Ethical Approval and Research Involving Living Organisms

Research involving human participants, human material, or identifiable human data must have been performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and must have received ethical approval from an appropriate institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee. Informed consent must be obtained from all participants.

Research involving animals must comply with the ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) and institutional or national guidelines for the care and use of animals. Ethical approval from an appropriate animal ethics committee must be obtained.

For studies involving:

• Field studies with wildlife: Appropriate permits and ethical approvals must be obtained
• Collection of plant specimens: Compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., CITES for endangered species)
• Environmental sampling: Permissions from relevant authorities for sampling in protected areas

Authors must include an "Ethics Statement" in their manuscript detailing:

• The name of the ethics committee or institutional review board that approved the study
• The approval number or reference
• A statement confirming that informed consent was obtained (for human studies)
• A statement confirming compliance with relevant animal welfare regulations (for animal studies)

Hazards and Human or Animal Subjects

If the work involves chemicals, procedures, or equipment with unusual hazards inherent in their use, authors must clearly identify these in the manuscript. If the work involves the use of animal or human subjects, authors must ensure that the manuscript contains a statement that all procedures were performed in compliance with relevant laws and institutional guidelines and that appropriate institutional committee(s) have approved them.

Fundamental Errors in Published Work

When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in their own published work, it is their obligation to promptly notify the journal editor and cooperate in retracting or correcting the paper. If the editor or publisher learns from a third party that a published work contains a significant error, the author must promptly retract or correct the paper or provide evidence to the editor of the correctness of the original paper.

Duplicate, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication

Authors must not submit manuscripts describing essentially the same research to more than one journal or primary publication. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical behaviour and is unacceptable.

Prior Publication: Articles that have been published in full in another peer-reviewed journal will not be considered for publication. However, the following are generally acceptable:

• Publication in conference proceedings that are not peer-reviewed
• Preliminary reports in newsletters or similar outlets
• Preprint servers (see Preprint Policy below)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

The journal acknowledges that AI and large language models (such as ChatGPT, Claude, and similar tools) are increasingly being used in research and writing processes. Authors must adhere to the following guidelines:

Permitted Uses:

• Language editing and grammar checking
• Literature search and organization
• Data analysis and visualization
• Code generation and debugging
• Translation assistance

Disclosure Requirements:

Authors must disclose the use of AI tools in their manuscript if:

1. AI was used to generate substantial portions of text in the manuscript
2. AI was used for data analysis, interpretation, or visualization
3. AI contributed to the research design or methodology

The disclosure should be included in the "Acknowledgments" or "Methods" section and should specify:

• Which AI tool(s) were used
• How they were used (specific tasks)
• The extent of their contribution

Prohibited Uses:

• AI tools cannot be listed as authors, as they cannot fulfill authorship criteria (accountability, approval, etc.)
• Using AI to fabricate data, results, or citations
• Using AI to generate text without proper verification of accuracy and appropriateness
• Submitting AI-generated content without significant human intellectual contribution

Author Responsibility: Authors remain fully responsible for the content of their manuscripts, including any AI-generated content. AI-generated text must be carefully reviewed, edited, and fact-checked before submission.

Image Manipulation

Digital image processing is acceptable only if it is applied equally across the entire image and does not obscure, eliminate, or misrepresent any information present in the original.

Acceptable Adjustments:

• Brightness, contrast, and color balance adjustments (applied to the entire image)
• Cropping to focus on relevant areas

Unacceptable Manipulations:

• Selective enhancement or alteration of specific features
• Addition, removal, or relocation of features
• Grouping of images from different parts of the same gel or from different gels, fields, or exposures (unless clearly indicated with dividing lines)
• Combining images from different experiments without clear demarcation

Authors may be asked to provide original, unprocessed images for comparison during the review process. Evidence of deliberate image manipulation to deceive will result in manuscript rejection or retraction.

Citation Manipulation

Authors must cite relevant work accurately and appropriately. Citations should be based on their relevance to the content, not to artificially inflate citation counts of particular authors, journals, or articles.

Prohibited Practices:

• Excessive self-citation without scientific justification
• Coercive citation (citations requested by editors or reviewers for the purpose of increasing their own citation counts)
• Citation cartels or citation stacking

Preprint Policy

The journal supports the dissemination of research through preprint servers and recognizes the importance of rapid sharing of findings, particularly in the fields of environmental science and sustainability where timely information can inform policy and practice.

Preprint Posting: Authors may post their manuscripts on preprint servers (such as EarthArXiv, bioRxiv, arXiv, ResearchSquare, or institutional repositories) before, during, or after the submission and peer review process. Posting a preprint does not constitute prior publication and will not jeopardize consideration for publication in Green and Sustainable Environments.

Requirements:

1. Authors should disclose the existence of the preprint at the time of submission
2. The preprint should include a statement that it is a preprint and has not yet been peer-reviewed
3. Once the article is published, authors should update the preprint with a link to the final published version

Version of Record: The journal-published version remains the definitive Version of Record and should be cited in preference to the preprint version.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

Decision-Making and Impartiality

Editors are responsible for deciding which submitted manuscripts should be published. The editorial board bases its decisions on the validity of the work, its importance to researchers and readers, and its relevance to the journal's scope.

Editors evaluate manuscripts solely on their intellectual merit, without regard to authors' race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.

Confidentiality

Editors and editorial staff must not disclose information about submitted manuscripts to anyone other than the authors, reviewers, and potential reviewers. Unpublished materials disclosed in a submitted manuscript must not be used in an editor's own research without the express written consent of the author.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors must recuse themselves from considering manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, institutions, or organizations connected to the papers. Alternative members of the editorial board will handle such manuscripts.

Involvement in Decisions

Editors will not be involved in decisions about papers that they have written themselves or have been written by family members or colleagues or which relate to products or services in which the editor has an interest.

Corrections, Clarifications, Retractions, and Apologies

Editors are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the published record. When errors are identified, editors must facilitate publication of corrections, clarifications, retractions, or apologies when needed. Retractions will follow COPE guidelines and will clearly indicate the reason for retraction.

Types of Post-Publication Corrections:

• Erratum: Error made by the journal (typesetting, editing)
• Corrigendum: Error made by the author(s) that does not affect the conclusions
• Retraction: Major errors, misconduct, or ethical violations that invalidate the findings

All post-publication corrections will be linked to the original article and will be freely accessible.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions

Peer review assists editors in making editorial decisions and may help authors improve their manuscripts. Reviewers have an obligation to provide timely, constructive, and unbiased feedback.

Timeliness and Responsiveness

Reviewers who do not feel qualified to review the research reported in a manuscript or know that its prompt review will be impossible should notify the editor and decline to participate in the review process. Reviews should be completed within the agreed timeframe (typically 2-3 weeks).

Confidentiality

Any manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. Reviewers must not share manuscripts with others or discuss them with colleagues unless authorized by the editor. Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must remain confidential and not be used for personal advantage.

Objectivity and Constructive Criticism

Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the authors is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments and provide constructive feedback that will help authors improve their work.

Standards of Objectivity

Reviews should be objective, and observations should be formulated clearly with supporting arguments, so that authors can use them for improving the paper. Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and should call to the editor's attention any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.

Acknowledgment of Sources

Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Any statement that an observation, derivation, or argument had been previously reported should be accompanied by the relevant citation.

Conflicts of Interest

Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest that could bias their opinions of the manuscript and should decline to review manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers.

Publisher Responsibilities

The publisher supports the journal editors in all stages of the editorial and publication process and in maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record. The publisher:

• Provides resources and guidance to editors and reviewers
• Investigates and addresses allegations of misconduct promptly and thoroughly
• Supports publication of corrections, retractions, and expressions of concern when necessary
• Ensures the journal adheres to relevant standards and best practices (COPE, DOAJ, OASPA)
• Maintains the technical infrastructure for secure manuscript submission and peer review
• Protects the confidentiality of authors, reviewers, and editors

Procedures for Handling Misconduct

Allegations of Misconduct

The journal takes allegations of misconduct seriously and will investigate all cases brought to our attention. Allegations may be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief.

Investigation Process

1. Initial Assessment: The editor will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether the allegation warrants investigation
2. Gathering Information: The editor will gather relevant information from authors, reviewers, and other parties
3. COPE Guidance: The journal follows COPE flowcharts for specific scenarios:
   • Suspected plagiarism: https://publicationethics.org/plagiarism
   • Suspected data fabrication: https://publicationethics.org/fabrication
   • Suspected reviewer misconduct: https://publicationethics.org/reviewer-misconduct
4. Institutional Notification: In cases of serious misconduct, the author's institution may be contacted
5. Decision and Action: Based on the investigation, appropriate action will be taken (rejection, retraction, correction, or no action)

Sanctions

Depending on the severity of the misconduct, sanctions may include:

• Rejection of the manuscript
• Retraction of published article
• Formal ban on submissions for a specified period
• Notification to the author's institution
• Notification to relevant professional bodies

Appeals

Authors have the right to appeal editorial decisions. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of the decision, clearly stating the grounds for appeal. The appeal will be reviewed by members of the editorial board who were not involved in the original decision.

Compliance and Review

This Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect evolving best practices and emerging issues in scholarly publishing. The journal maintains membership with COPE and participates in ongoing education about publication ethics.

For guidance on specific ethical issues, please refer to COPE resources at https://publicationethics.org/

Manuscript Preparations

General Requirements

Language

Manuscripts must be written in clear, concise English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally edited before submission. Poor English may result in desk rejection or delay in the review process.

File Format

Manuscripts should be submitted as a single Microsoft Word document (.docx or .doc) containing all elements of the manuscript including title page, abstract, main text, references, tables, and figure captions. Figures should be embedded within the document at appropriate positions or placed at the end after the references.

Authors using LaTeX should convert their manuscript to PDF for submission, though LaTeX source files may be requested upon acceptance.

Article Types and Length

Green and Sustainable Environments publishes several types of articles, each with specific length requirements. Please refer to the "About the Journal" section for detailed information on article types and their corresponding word limits. Word counts exclude the abstract, references, tables, and figure captions.

Formatting

• Page Setup: A4 or US Letter size with 2.5 cm (1 inch) margins on all sides
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point font throughout the manuscript
• Line Spacing: Double-spaced throughout, including references and figure captions
• Line Numbering: Continuous line numbering throughout the manuscript to facilitate the review process
• Page Numbering: Consecutive page numbering starting from the title page
• Paragraphs: First line indented or separated by a blank line; do not use both methods

Manuscript Structure

Manuscripts should be organized in the following order:

1. Title Page
2. Abstract and Keywords
3. Main Text (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions)
4. Acknowledgments (if applicable)
5. Data Availability Statement
6. Conflicts of Interest Statement
7. References
8. Tables (with captions)
9. Figure Captions
10. Figures

1. Title Page

The title page should include:

Title: Concise and informative, clearly reflecting the content of the manuscript. Avoid abbreviations and formulae where possible. Maximum 150 characters including spaces.

Authors: Full names of all authors with their institutional affiliations and email addresses. Use superscript numbers to link authors to their respective affiliations.

Corresponding Author: Clearly indicate the corresponding author with an asterisk (*) and provide complete contact information including email address, telephone number, and postal address.

ORCID iDs: All authors are encouraged to provide their ORCID identifiers.

Example:

2. Abstract and Keywords

Abstract: A structured abstract of 200-300 words that summarizes the key aspects of the research. The abstract should be organized with the following subheadings:

• Background: Brief context and research gap or problem statement
• Methods: Overview of methodology, study area, and analytical approaches
• Results: Main findings with key data or outcomes
• Conclusions: Significance of findings and implications for policy or practice

The abstract should be self-contained and understandable without reference to the main text. Avoid citations, abbreviations (unless defined), and references to figures or tables.

Keywords: Provide 4-6 keywords that accurately reflect the content of the manuscript. Keywords should be specific and relevant to facilitate indexing and retrieval. Use lowercase letters except for proper nouns. Separate keywords with semicolons.

Example:

Keywords: urban ecosystem services; green infrastructure; biodiversity conservation; sustainable development; tropical cities; community resilience

3. Main Text

3.1 Introduction

The introduction should:

• Provide sufficient background to make the paper accessible to readers in related fields
• Clearly state the research problem, knowledge gap, or hypothesis
• Briefly summarize relevant literature, emphasizing recent developments
• Clearly state the objectives and scope of the study
• Avoid extensive literature review (this belongs in review articles)

3.2 Materials and Methods (or Methodology)

This section should provide sufficient detail to enable replication of the study. Include:

Study Area/Site Description:

• Geographic location with coordinates (decimal degrees preferred)
• Environmental characteristics relevant to the study
• Maps or site diagrams where appropriate

Materials:

• Description of materials, equipment, and instruments used
• Chemical reagents with purity grades and suppliers

Experimental Design/Sampling Strategy:

• Clear description of experimental setup or sampling design
• Sample size and statistical power considerations
• Randomization and control measures

Data Collection:

• Detailed procedures for measurements and observations
• Quality control measures
• Temporal and spatial scales

Data Analysis:

• Statistical methods and software used (with version numbers)
• Significance levels and tests applied
• Validation procedures

For established methods, cite the original reference and provide only brief description. For modified methods, describe modifications in detail. For novel methods, provide complete details.

3.3 Results

Present findings clearly and logically, using text, tables, and figures.

• Report results without interpretation (save for Discussion)
• Use past tense when describing your results
• Present data efficiently; avoid redundancy between text, tables, and figures
• Include appropriate statistical measures (means, standard deviations, p-values, confidence intervals)
• Ensure all figures and tables referenced in the text are included

3.4 Discussion

Interpret the results in the context of existing knowledge:

• Explain the significance of findings
• Compare results with previous studies
• Discuss limitations and uncertainties
• Address unexpected findings
• Explore broader implications for theory, policy, or practice

The Results and Discussion sections may be combined if preferred, particularly for shorter articles or case studies.

3.5 Conclusions

Provide a concise summary of the main findings and their significance. The conclusions should:

• Directly address the research objectives stated in the introduction
• Highlight the novelty and contribution of the work
• Suggest directions for future research
• Discuss practical applications or policy recommendations where relevant

Avoid simply repeating the abstract or results. Do not introduce new information not discussed in the main text.

4. Acknowledgments

Recognize individuals, organizations, or funding sources that contributed to the research but do not qualify for authorship. This may include:

• Technical assistance
• Data provision
• Field support
• Language editing services
• Funding sources (grant numbers should be included)

If AI tools were used in the research or writing process, include disclosure here (see Publication Ethics policy).

5. Data Availability Statement

Include a statement regarding the availability of data supporting the findings. See the Open Access Policy and Publication Ethics Statement for detailed requirements and examples.

6. Conflicts of Interest Statement

Authors must declare any financial or non-financial conflicts of interest. If no conflicts exist, state: "The authors declare no conflicts of interest."

7. References

Citation Style: IEEE

Green and Sustainable Environments uses the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) citation style, which employs numbered citations in square brackets [1], [2], [3], etc., appearing in numerical order throughout the text.

In-Text Citations:

• Citations should be numbered consecutively in the order they first appear in the text
• Use square brackets: [1], [2], [3]
• Multiple citations: [1], [2], [5]–[7] or [1]–[4]
• Place citation brackets before punctuation marks: "as shown by Smith [1]."

Reference List:

• List references in numerical order at the end of the manuscript
• Each reference should be numbered [1], [2], [3], etc.
• All authors should be listed (do not use "et al." in the reference list)
• Include DOI when available

Reference Format Examples:

Journal Article:

[1] A. B. Smith, C. D. Johnson, and E. F. Williams, "Sustainable water management in arid regions: A comprehensive review," J. Environmental Management, vol. 245, pp. 123–135, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.12.045.

Book:

[2] R. T. Brown, Environmental Sustainability: Theory and Practice, 3rd ed. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Book Chapter:

[3] M. L. Garcia and P. J. Anderson, "Climate adaptation strategies in coastal communities," in Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, K. Smith, Ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer, 2019, pp. 456–478.

Conference Paper:

[4] L. Chen, K. Yamamoto, and S. Patel, "Urban heat island mitigation through green infrastructure," in Proc. Int. Conf. Sustainable Cities, Tokyo, Japan, Sep. 2021, pp. 234–241.

Online Resource/Website:

[5] United Nations Environment Programme, "Global Environment Outlook 6," UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.unep.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-6

Technical Report:

[6] World Bank, "Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025," Tech. Rep. 142358, World Bank, Washington, DC, USA, 2020.

Thesis/Dissertation:

[7] J. K. Lee, "Assessment of renewable energy potential in Southeast Asian countries," Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. Environmental Eng., National University of Singapore, Singapore, 2020.

Dataset:

[8] A. Martinez et al., "Global land cover dataset 2020," Zenodo, 2021, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1234567.

Notes:

• Abbreviate journal names according to ISO 4 standards
• Use "vol." for volume, "no." for number, "pp." for pages
• Include month and year for journals with monthly publication
• For online sources, include access date if content may change: [Accessed: Dec. 1, 2024]
• Preprints should be cited with the preprint server name and DOI

Reference Management Software: Authors are encouraged to use reference management tools such as EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero. IEEE style files are available for most reference managers.

8. Tables

Format:

• Tables should be editable (not images) and created using the table function in Word
• Each table should have a concise caption placed above the table
• Number tables consecutively (Table 1, Table 2, etc.) in order of citation
• Tables should be self-explanatory and understandable without reference to the text
• Use footnotes (a, b, c) to explain abbreviations and provide additional information

Content:

• Keep tables simple; avoid excessive subdivision
• Align numbers by decimal point
• Use consistent decimal places for comparable values
• Include units in column headings
• Define all abbreviations in table footnotes

Example:

9. Figures

Preparation:

• Figures should be of high quality and suitable for publication
• Minimum resolution: 300 dpi for color and grayscale images; 1000 dpi for line art
• File formats: TIFF, EPS, or high-resolution JPEG
• Size: Figures should fit within the journal's column width (85 mm) or page width (170 mm)
• Color: Color figures are encouraged for online publication; ensure figures remain clear when printed in grayscale if necessary

Figure Captions:

• Place all figure captions together on a separate page after the references
• Number figures consecutively (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.)
• Captions should be self-contained, providing sufficient information to understand the figure without reference to the text
• Define all abbreviations and symbols used in the figure
• Include scale bars for photographs and maps

Content Guidelines:

• Keep figures simple and focused on the key message
• Use clear, readable fonts (minimum 8-point after reduction)
• Ensure adequate contrast and avoid excessive detail
• For maps, include scale bar, north arrow, and geographic coordinates
• For graphs, clearly label axes with units
• For photographs, include scale information when relevant

Special Considerations for Environmental Research:

Maps and GIS Data:

• Include coordinate system/projection information
• Provide clear legends for symbology
• Use appropriate color schemes (consider colorblind-friendly palettes)
• Include inset maps for geographic context when necessary

Photographs:

• Field photographs should clearly show the subject of study
• Include scale information (scale bar, reference object)
• Maintain natural colors; do not over-process images
• Obtain necessary permissions for photographs including people

Example Caption:

Figure 1. Study area showing the location of sampling sites along the river basin. (a) Regional context map showing the watershed boundary (dashed line) and major tributaries. (b) Detailed view of sampling locations (circles) with land use categories indicated by different colors. Coordinate system: WGS 84 / UTM Zone 48N. Base map: OpenStreetMap contributors.

10. Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials support the main manuscript but are not essential for understanding the core findings. They are published online only and not peer-reviewed unless they contain critical methodological details.

Content:

• Additional figures, tables, or datasets
• Extended methodological details
• Video or audio files
• Computer code or algorithms
• Large datasets (consider depositing in appropriate repositories)

Requirements:

• File format: PDF for documents; common formats for other media (MP4 for video, CSV for data)
• Size limit: Total size should not exceed 100 MB. For larger datasets, deposit in appropriate repositories (see Data Availability Statement)
• Naming: Use clear, descriptive filenames (e.g., Supplementary_Figure_S1.pdf, Supplementary_Table_S2.xlsx)
• Captions: Provide a separate document listing all supplementary materials with brief descriptions

Citation: Reference supplementary materials in the main text as "Supplementary Figure S1," "Supplementary Table S2," etc.

Additional Guidelines

Units and Nomenclature

SI Units: Use International System of Units (SI) throughout the manuscript. Common exceptions include:

• Hectares (ha) for land area
• Liters (L) instead of dm³
• Minutes (min), hours (h), days (d) for time

Species Names:

• Use complete Latin binomial names (genus and species) in italics at first mention
• Authority names may be included at first mention: Quercus robur L.
• After first mention, genus may be abbreviated: Q. robur
• Common names should be lowercase unless they include a proper noun

Chemical Nomenclature:

• Follow IUPAC conventions
• Define all chemical abbreviations at first use
• Use systematic names for clarity

Geographic Coordinates:

• Use decimal degrees (e.g., 3.5952° N, 98.6722° E)
• Specify datum (e.g., WGS84)
• Include elevation (meters above sea level, m a.s.l.) when relevant

Abbreviations

• Define all abbreviations at first mention in the abstract and again in the main text
• Use standard abbreviations where available
• Avoid excessive abbreviations; spell out if used fewer than three times
• Consider including a list of abbreviations for manuscripts with numerous technical terms

Mathematical Equations

• Number equations consecutively using Arabic numerals in parentheses on the right margin
• Reference equations in text as "Eq. (1)," "Eqs. (2) and (3)"
• Use the equation editor or MathType for complex equations
• Define all variables and parameters immediately after the equation or in a nomenclature section

Example:

Statistical Reporting

• Report test statistics with degrees of freedom and p-values: F(2, 45) = 8.32, p < 0.001
• Provide confidence intervals where appropriate: 95% CI [12.3, 18.7]
• Define significance levels (typically α = 0.05)
• Include effect sizes for important findings
• Specify software used with version numbers: R version 4.2.1, SPSS 28.0

Permissions and Copyright

Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce any copyrighted material, including:

• Figures or tables from other publications
• Photographs of identifiable individuals
• Extensive quotations from other sources

Include a copyright permission statement in the figure or table caption.

Before Submission: Checklist

Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure:

• Manuscript is formatted according to these guidelines
• Line and page numbering are enabled
• Abstract is structured with appropriate subheadings (200-300 words)
• 4-6 keywords provided
• All author information is complete (names, affiliations, emails, ORCID)
• Corresponding author is clearly indicated
• Main text follows the required structure
• All citations are in IEEE format and numbered correctly
• All references cited in text appear in the reference list and vice versa
• All tables and figures are cited in the text
• Figure resolution meets minimum requirements (300 dpi)
• Table and figure captions are complete and self-explanatory
• All abbreviations are defined at first use
• SI units are used consistently
• Data Availability Statement is included
• Conflicts of Interest Statement is included
• Ethics Statement is included (if applicable)
• Supplementary materials are properly formatted and described (if applicable)
• Permissions obtained for copyrighted material (if applicable)
• Manuscript has been carefully proofread for language and clarity
• All co-authors have approved the final version

Manuscript Template

Authors are encouraged to use the manuscript template available on the journal website. The template is pre-formatted according to these guidelines and includes placeholder text to guide manuscript preparation.

Manuscript Submissions and Review Process

Overview

Green and Sustainable Environments employs a rigorous peer review process to ensure the quality, validity, and significance of published research. This document outlines the complete submission and review workflow, from initial submission through to editorial decision. All manuscripts undergo single-blind peer review, where reviewers know the authors' identities but authors do not know the reviewers' identities.

Submission Process

Online Submission System

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's online submission system powered by Open Journal Systems (OJS).

Account Registration

First-time users must create an account:

1. Click "Register" on the journal homepage
2. Complete the registration form with accurate information
3. Select your role: Author (and Reviewer if you wish to review for the journal)
4. Verify your email address through the confirmation link sent to your inbox

Returning users can log in with their existing credentials.

Submission Steps

The submission process consists of five main steps:

Step 1: Start Submission

• Select the article type from the dropdown menu (Research Article, Review Article, Short Communication, etc.)
• Review and confirm compliance with submission requirements
• Confirm that the manuscript has not been previously published or is under consideration elsewhere
• Agree to the journal's copyright and licensing terms

Step 2: Upload Submission

• Upload your manuscript as a single Word document (.docx or .doc) containing all elements as specified in the Manuscript Preparation Guidelines
• The system accepts files up to 20 MB
• Ensure the file is properly formatted and includes line numbering
• The filename should be descriptive but should not include author names if you plan to request double-blind review (though the journal uses single-blind by default)

Step 3: Enter Metadata

Provide complete and accurate information:

Title and Abstract:

• Enter the full manuscript title
• Paste the complete structured abstract (200-300 words)
• Do not include formatting or special characters that may not display properly

Contributors:

• Add all co-authors in the correct order
• Provide full names, email addresses, institutional affiliations, and ORCID iDs
• Clearly designate the corresponding author
• You can reorder authors by dragging and dropping

Keywords:

• Enter 4-6 keywords separated by semicolons
• Use lowercase except for proper nouns
• Choose specific, searchable terms

Supporting Agencies (if applicable):

• List funding sources with grant numbers

References:

• Paste your complete reference list in IEEE format

Step 4: Upload Supplementary Files (Optional)

If your manuscript includes supplementary materials:

• Upload each file separately
• Provide descriptive filenames
• Select the appropriate file type (Supplementary Data, Supplementary Figure, etc.)
• Ensure total file size does not exceed 100 MB

Step 5: Confirmation

• Review all entered information carefully
• Make any necessary corrections by returning to previous steps
• Submit a brief cover letter (optional but recommended)
• Click "Finish Submission"
• You will receive an automatic confirmation email with your manuscript ID

Cover Letter (Optional but Recommended)

While not mandatory, a cover letter can strengthen your submission. Include:

• A brief statement of the manuscript's significance and novelty
• Explanation of how the work fits the journal's scope
• Declaration that the work has not been published elsewhere and is not under consideration at another journal
• Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest
• Suggestions for potential reviewers (optional) or requests to exclude specific reviewers (with justification)

Post-Submission

After submission:

• You will receive a confirmation email with your manuscript tracking number
• You can log in anytime to check the status of your submission
• The system will send automated emails at key stages of the review process
• All correspondence regarding your manuscript will use the manuscript tracking number

Initial Editorial Screening

Desk Review Process

Upon submission, the manuscript undergoes an initial editorial assessment by the Editor-in-Chief or a designated Section Editor. This typically occurs within 5-7 days of submission.

Screening Criteria

Manuscripts are evaluated based on:

Scope and Relevance:

• Does the manuscript fall within the journal's scope of green and sustainable environments?
• Is the topic of interest to the journal's readership?
• Does it contribute new knowledge or insights to the field?

Scientific Quality:

• Is the research question clearly defined and significant?
• Are the methods appropriate and adequately described?
• Are the conclusions supported by the data?

Ethical Compliance:

• Has necessary ethical approval been obtained (for studies involving humans, animals, or sensitive environmental sites)?
• Are conflicts of interest properly disclosed?
• Does the manuscript comply with publication ethics standards?

Technical Requirements:

• Does the manuscript follow the journal's formatting guidelines?
• Is the English language quality adequate?
• Are all required sections and statements included?

Originality Check:

• All submissions are screened using iThenticate plagiarism detection software
• Manuscripts with similarity index >20% (excluding references and standard methodology) are carefully reviewed
• Significant overlap with previous publications may result in desk rejection

Desk Review Outcomes

Proceed to Peer Review: The manuscript meets basic criteria and will be sent for external peer review.

Desk Rejection: The manuscript does not meet the journal's requirements or standards. Common reasons include:

• Outside the journal's scope
• Serious methodological or ethical concerns
• Poor English language quality preventing adequate review
• High similarity index indicating plagiarism or excessive self-plagiarism
• Incomplete submission or failure to follow guidelines
• Scientifically unsound

Authors of desk-rejected manuscripts receive feedback on the reasons for rejection and are welcome to submit a different manuscript in the future (unless banned due to ethical violations).

Communication

Authors are notified via email of the desk review outcome. If proceeding to peer review, the email will include:

• Confirmation that the manuscript has passed initial screening
• Assignment to a handling editor
• Estimated timeline for the review process

Peer Review Process

Review Model: Single-Blind Review

Green and Sustainable Environments uses a single-blind peer review model:

• Reviewers know the identities of the authors
• Authors do not know the identities of the reviewers
• This model balances objectivity with practical considerations in reviewer recruitment

Reviewer Selection

The handling editor selects reviewers based on:

• Expertise relevant to the manuscript's topic and methodology
• Publication record in the field
• Geographic and institutional diversity
• No conflicts of interest with the authors
• Previous review quality (for returning reviewers)

Minimum of 2 reviewers are invited for each manuscript. If the two reviewers provide conflicting recommendations, a third reviewer may be consulted.

Reviewer Invitation Process

1. Selected reviewers receive an email invitation with the manuscript title and abstract
2. Reviewers are asked to accept or decline within 3-5 days
3. If a reviewer declines, alternative reviewers are contacted
4. Upon acceptance, reviewers receive the full manuscript and review form

Review Timeline

Reviewers are requested to complete their review within 2-8 weeks. The handling editor monitors review progress and sends reminders as needed.

• Week 2: Friendly reminder if review not yet submitted
• Week 6: Urgent reminder for overdue reviews
• Week 8: If review is significantly overdue, editor may recruit a replacement reviewer

Review Criteria

Reviewers evaluate manuscripts based on:

Originality and Significance:

• Does the work present novel findings or new perspectives?
• Is the research question important and timely?
• Does it advance the field of environmental sustainability?

Scientific Rigor:

• Are the objectives clearly stated?
• Are the methods appropriate, well-described, and reproducible?
• Is the study design sound?
• Are the statistical analyses appropriate and correctly applied?
• Are the results presented clearly and logically?

Interpretation and Conclusions:

• Are the conclusions supported by the data?
• Are alternative explanations considered?
• Are limitations adequately discussed?
• Are broader implications appropriately addressed?

Presentation Quality:

• Is the manuscript well-organized and clearly written?
• Are figures and tables appropriate, clear, and properly labeled?
• Are references appropriate and properly cited?

Ethical Considerations:

• Are ethical standards maintained?
• Are potential conflicts of interest identified?
• Is data availability addressed?

Review Report

Reviewers provide:

• Recommendation: Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, Reject
• Confidential comments to the editor: Assessment of the manuscript's suitability and priority for publication
• Comments to the authors: Detailed, constructive feedback on strengths and weaknesses, with specific suggestions for improvement

Editorial Decision

Decision Timeline

Once reviews are received, the handling editor evaluates the manuscript and reviewer comments, typically within 1-2 weeks, and makes a recommendation to the Editor-in-Chief, who makes the final decision.

Types of Editorial Decisions

Accept:

• The manuscript is accepted for publication without revisions (rare)
• Proceeds immediately to production

Minor Revisions Required:

• Small changes needed that do not require re-review
• Examples: clarifications, additional references, minor data presentation improvements
• Authors typically have 2-4 weeks to submit revisions
• Revised manuscript is reviewed by the handling editor only

Major Revisions Required:

• Substantial changes needed, such as additional experiments, reanalysis, significant rewriting, or structural reorganization
• Authors typically have 4-8 weeks to submit revisions (extensions available upon request)
• Revised manuscript typically returns to the original reviewers for re-evaluation

Reject with Invitation to Resubmit:

• The manuscript has merit but requires very substantial revision that essentially constitutes a new study
• Authors may resubmit as a new submission after making major changes
• The new submission will undergo full peer review (possibly with the same reviewers)

Reject:

• The manuscript does not meet the journal's standards for publication
• Major flaws in methodology, interpretation, or presentation that cannot be adequately addressed through revision
• Insufficient novelty or significance
• Better suited for a different journal

Decision Communication

Authors receive an email notification with:

• The editorial decision
• Reviewer comments (anonymized)
• Specific instructions for revision (if applicable)
• Deadline for submitting revisions
• Guidance on how to respond to reviewer comments

Revision Process

Submitting Revisions

For manuscripts requiring revision, authors must submit:

1. Revised manuscript with tracked changes: Use Word's "Track Changes" feature to highlight all modifications
2. Clean version of the revised manuscript: Final version without markup
3. Point-by-point response to reviewers: A separate document addressing each reviewer comment individually
4. Updated supplementary materials (if applicable)

Response to Reviewers

The response document should:

• Quote each reviewer comment
• Provide a detailed response explaining how the comment was addressed
• Indicate specific location of changes in the revised manuscript (page and line numbers)
• If you disagree with a comment, provide a respectful, evidence-based explanation

Format Example:

Revision Deadline and Extensions

Standard deadlines:

• Minor revisions: 2-4 weeks
• Major revisions: 4-8 weeks

Extension requests:

• Extension requests are accepted and should be submitted before the deadline
• Contact the editorial office via the submission system with justification
• Typical extensions: 2-4 additional weeks
• Manuscripts not revised within the extended deadline may be administratively closed (but can be resubmitted as new)

Re-review Process

Minor revisions:

• Evaluated by the handling editor
• Decision typically within 1-2 weeks

Major revisions:

• Sent back to original reviewers when possible
• Reviewers assess whether concerns were adequately addressed
• Reviewers have 2-4 weeks for re-review
• May require additional rounds of revision (maximum 2 rounds of major revisions)

Fast-Track Review Option

Eligibility

Fast-track review is available for manuscripts that:

• Address urgent environmental challenges or time-sensitive issues
• Report findings relevant to ongoing policy discussions or disaster response
• Present breakthrough methodologies or technologies with immediate applications
• Respond to recent major environmental events or emerging threats

Fast-Track Process

Application:

• Indicate fast-track request in cover letter during submission
• Provide clear justification for expedited review
• The Editor-in-Chief evaluates eligibility within 2-3 days

Timeline:

• Initial screening: 2-3 days
• Peer review: 1-3 weeks (expedited reviewer recruitment)
• Editorial decision: 3-5 days after reviews received
• Revision turnaround: Shortened deadlines with close editor-author communication
• Total time to decision: 2-4 weeks

Conditions:

• Same rigorous peer review standards apply
• Authors must be responsive to queries and revision requests
• Fast-track does not guarantee acceptance
• If substantial revisions are needed, manuscript may revert to standard timeline

Transfer and Cascading Review

If your manuscript is not accepted for publication in Green and Sustainable Environments, we offer two options to support your path to publication:

Review Report Sharing

Portable peer review: Upon rejection, authors receive:

• Complete anonymized reviewer reports
• Editorial assessment
• Permission to use these reports when submitting to other journals

Benefits:

• Saves time by avoiding duplicate peer review
• Provides constructive feedback to improve the manuscript
• Some journals accept transferred reviews, accelerating their review process

Journal Transfer Service

Partner journals: We have transfer agreements with the following journals in related fields:

• Greensusmater
• Green and Sustainable Membranes

Transfer process:

• Editor may suggest transfer to a more suitable partner journal
• If interested, author provides consent via the submission system
• Manuscript, review reports, and metadata are securely transferred
• Author receives submission notification from receiving journal
• Receiving journal may use existing reviews or conduct new review

No double charges: If both journals charge APCs, you will not be charged twice for the same article.

Appeals Process

Grounds for Appeal

Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe:

• Reviewers misunderstood key aspects of the manuscript
• Reviewers lacked appropriate expertise
• The decision was based on incorrect factual information
• New data or analyses address the reviewers' concerns
• Procedural errors occurred during review

Appeals based solely on disagreement with the decision or subjective assessments are unlikely to succeed.

How to Submit an Appeal

1. Timing: Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of the decision notification
2. Submission: Send via email to the Editor-in-Chief
3. Content: Include:
   • Manuscript tracking number
   • Original decision letter
   • Detailed letter explaining specific grounds for appeal
   • Point-by-point response to reviewer comments (if applicable)
   • Any new data or analyses (if relevant)

Appeal Review Process

1. Initial assessment: Editor-in-Chief reviews the appeal (5-7 days)
2. Independent review: If the appeal has merit, the manuscript is reviewed by editorial board members not involved in the original decision
3. Decision: The appeal decision is final and typically communicated within 3-4 weeks
4. Outcomes:
   • Appeal upheld: Manuscript reconsidered (may be sent for additional review)
   • Appeal denied: Original decision stands
   • Partial appeal: Opportunity to revise and resubmit with specific guidance

Tracking Your Submission

Submission Dashboard

Authors can monitor their manuscript status through the OJS dashboard:

Active Submissions:

• View current stage of review
• See assigned editor
• Access decision letters and reviewer comments
• Upload revised manuscripts

Status Indicators:

• Submitted: Awaiting initial editorial screening
• In Review: Undergoing peer review
• Revisions Required: Awaiting author revisions
• Revisions Submitted: Revised manuscript under review
• Accepted: Accepted for publication
• Declined: Not accepted for publication

Communication

All official communication occurs through the OJS system. Authors receive email notifications for:

• Submission confirmation
• Initial decision (accept for review or desk reject)
• Reviewer reports received
• Editorial decision
• Reminders about revision deadlines
• Final acceptance

After Acceptance

Overview

Congratulations on having your manuscript accepted for publication in Green and Sustainable Environments! This section outlines the steps from acceptance to final publication. The typical timeline from acceptance to online publication is 2-4 weeks, after which your article will be included in the next scheduled issue for full publication.

Acceptance Notification

Upon acceptance of your manuscript, you will receive an email from the Editor-in-Chief or handling editor containing:

• Formal acceptance notification
• Overview of the next steps
• Instructions for completing post-acceptance requirements
• Expected timeline for publication
• Contact information for production-related queries

What happens next: Your manuscript enters the production workflow, where it will be professionally copyedited, typeset, and prepared for publication.

Copyright and Licensing Agreement

Automatic License Agreement

As Green and Sustainable Environments operates under a Gold Open Access model with CC BY 4.0 licensing, authors retain copyright of their work while granting the journal a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the article.

Your agreement was confirmed during manuscript submission when you checked the submission requirements box stating:

What This Means

By accepting publication, you confirm that:

• Authors retain copyright: You own the copyright to your work
• Non-exclusive license: You grant the journal the right to publish and distribute your article under CC BY 4.0
• Co-author agreement: All co-authors have approved the submission and publication
• Ethical compliance: The work meets all ethical standards outlined in the journal's Publication Ethics Statement
• Originality: The work is original and has not been published elsewhere

ORCID Verification

To ensure proper attribution and discoverability, please verify that all co-authors' ORCID iDs are correctly listed in the submission system. If any co-author does not have an ORCID iD, they can register for free at https://orcid.org.

Third-Party Materials

If your manuscript includes materials (figures, tables, extensive quotations) from other copyrighted sources:

• Written permission from copyright holders must be obtained
• Submit permission letters via the submission system
• Include proper attribution in figure/table captions
• Notify the editorial office if permissions are pending

Article Processing Charge (APC) Payment

Payment Requirement

To support open access publication and cover the costs of professional production, authors are required to pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) as outlined in the journal's Open Access Policy.

Payment must be completed before production begins. This ensures there are no delays in the publication process.

Invoice and Payment Process

Invoice Issuance:

1. Upon acceptance, the corresponding author will receive an APC invoice via email
2. The invoice includes:
   • Manuscript tracking number and title
   • Itemized charges (standard APC or discounted/waived rate)
   • Payment instructions and accepted methods
   • Payment deadline (typically 7 days from invoice date)
   • Invoice number for reference

Payment Methods:

• Bank transfer (wire transfer)
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
• Institutional payment order

Payment Confirmation:

• Submit proof of payment via the submission system
• Include invoice number in payment reference
• Production will commence upon payment confirmation

Waiver Confirmation

If your APC waiver or discount was approved during submission, this will be reflected in your invoice. No payment is required for 100% waivers. The invoice serves as documentation for institutional records.

Important Notes

• No publication without payment: Articles will not proceed to production without APC payment or confirmed waiver
• Institutional payment delays: If your institution requires extended processing time, contact the editorial office to avoid automatic manuscript withdrawal
• Refund policy: In the rare event of manuscript withdrawal after payment, a full refund will be processed within 30 days

Production Process

Once the License to Publish form is received and APC payment is confirmed, your manuscript enters professional production.

Copyediting

Scope: Your manuscript undergoes moderate copyediting, which includes:

• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation corrections
• Consistency in terminology, style, and formatting
• Adherence to journal style guidelines
• Clarity improvements in sentence structure
• Verification of references and citations
• Checking figure and table numbering and citations

Language Editing: The copyeditor will improve language clarity while preserving your intended meaning and scientific accuracy.

Timeline: Copyediting typically takes 5-7 days.

Author Review (Optional): For manuscripts requiring substantial language editing, authors may be asked to review the copyedited version. If required, you will have 3 days to review and approve changes.

Typesetting and Formatting

Professional Layout: Your manuscript is professionally formatted into publication-ready formats:

• PDF: Final paginated version with journal style
• HTML: Web-optimized version for online reading
• Professional layout with journal branding
• High-quality rendering of figures and tables
• Proper formatting of equations and special characters

Metadata Preparation: Essential information is prepared for indexing and discovery:

• Author names and affiliations
• ORCID iDs
• Keywords and subject classifications
• Abstract and references
• Funding information

DOI Assignment: A unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is assigned to your article, ensuring permanent accessibility and proper citation.

Timeline: Typesetting takes 3-5 days.

Author Proof Review

Receiving Proofs

Once typesetting is complete, you will receive galley proofs (PDF and HTML versions) via email with instructions for review.

Review Period: You have 5 days to review and return corrections.

What to Check

During proof review, carefully check for:

Critical Errors Only:

• Typographical errors introduced during production
• Incorrect data, numbers, or values
• Missing or incorrect figures/tables
• Errors in author names, affiliations, or ORCID iDs
• Broken or incorrect references
• Missing acknowledgments or funding information
• Incorrect equation rendering

DO NOT make:

• Scientific revisions or new interpretations
• Additions of new data or references
• Restructuring of content
• Style or wording preferences (unless affecting scientific accuracy)
• Extensive language changes

Submitting Corrections

How to submit:

1. Download the proof PDF
2. Mark corrections clearly using comment/annotation tools
3. List all corrections in a separate document with page and line numbers
4. Submit via the submission system or email to production team

Format for corrections:

Deadline: Corrections must be submitted within 5 days. Late submissions may delay publication.

Important Reminders

• This is your final opportunity to identify errors before publication
• Focus on accuracy rather than style preferences
• Extensive changes at this stage may require additional fees and will delay publication
• If no corrections are needed, you must still confirm approval of the proofs
• Failure to respond within 5 days may result in publication without your final approval

Final Publication

Online First Publication

Once proofs are approved and any corrections are made:

Immediate Publication:

• Your article is published online within 2-4 weeks of acceptance
• Receives full citation details (authors, title, journal name, DOI)
• Immediately accessible to readers worldwide under CC BY 4.0 license
• Fully citable using the DOI
• Indexed and discoverable through databases and search engines

Online First Status:

• Articles are designated as "Online First" or "Articles in Press"
• Will be assigned to an upcoming issue but are fully published and citable
• Pagination may be tentative until final issue compilation

Full Issue Publication

Issue Assignment:

• Your article will be included in the next scheduled issue (quarterly/monthly as per journal schedule)
• Receives final volume, issue, and page numbers
• Compiled with other articles in a complete issue

No Embargo: There is no embargo period. Your article is immediately open access upon online first publication.

Publication Notification

You will receive email confirmation when:

• Your article is published online first
• Your article is included in the final issue

The email will include:

• Direct link to your published article
• Complete citation information
• DOI and permanent URL
• Instructions for downloading and sharing

Post-Publication Services

Dissemination and Promotion

Automatic Indexing: Your article is automatically:

• Submitted to major indexing services (Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, etc.)
• Deposited in PKP Preservation Network for long-term archiving
• Made discoverable through library catalogs and databases

Social Media Promotion:

• The journal promotes all published articles through official social media channels (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
• Articles are featured with title, authors, and key findings
• Authors are tagged when possible (provide social media handles for tagging)

High-Impact Article Promotion:

For articles of exceptional significance, the journal provides:

• Press releases published on the journal website and society/publisher platforms
• Feature on journal homepage
• Enhanced social media campaign
• Highlight in newsletter to subscribers
• Consideration for journal awards or special recognition

Author Promotion:

Authors are encouraged to:

• Share their published article via social media using the DOI link
• Deposit the article in institutional or subject repositories
• Present findings at conferences and cite the published version
• Update their ORCID profile with the publication

Article Metrics and Impact

Metrics Available:

• Download statistics (updated monthly)
• Citation counts (from CrossRef, Google Scholar)
• Altmetrics (social media mentions, news coverage, policy citations)
• Geographic distribution of readers

Access: View metrics on the article page or through your author dashboard (if available).

Post-Publication Corrections and Updates

Types of Post-Publication Changes

Despite careful review, errors may occasionally be discovered after publication. The journal follows COPE guidelines for post-publication corrections.

Erratum (Journal Error):

• Errors introduced by the journal during production (typesetting, editing)
• Published as a separate notice linked to the original article
• Original article marked with correction notice

Corrigendum (Author Error):

• Errors in the original manuscript that do not affect the main conclusions
• Authors submit a correction notice
• Subject to editorial review and approval
• Published as a separate notice linked to the original article

Retraction:

• For serious errors, ethical violations, or misconduct that invalidate findings
• Follows strict COPE guidelines
• Original article remains online but clearly marked as retracted
• Detailed retraction notice published explaining reasons

Requesting a Correction

If you discover an error after publication:

1. Contact the editorial office immediately
2. Provide details:
   • Article DOI and title
   • Specific error with location (page, line, figure)
   • Proposed correction
   • Assessment of whether the error affects conclusions
3. Editor review: The editor evaluates the significance of the error
4. Correction process: Appropriate correction type is determined and published

Minor corrections (typos not affecting meaning) may be silently corrected in the online version with a note in the article history.

Version of Record and Archiving

Version of Record (VOR)

The final published version of your article (PDF and HTML) is the Version of Record:

• Assigned a permanent DOI
• Accessible via a persistent URL
• The authoritative version for citation and reference
• Protected from alteration (corrections are published separately)

Long-Term Preservation

Your article is preserved through:

PKP Preservation Network (PKP PN):

• Automatic deposit upon publication
• Distributed preservation across geographically diverse nodes
• Ensures long-term accessibility even if the journal ceases publication
• No action required from authors

Institutional Repositories:

• Authors may deposit the Version of Record in institutional or subject repositories
• No embargo period
• Must include proper citation and DOI link

LOCKSS/CLOCKSS (if applicable):

• Additional preservation networks
• Trigger mechanisms ensure accessibility if journal becomes unavailable

Author Responsibilities After Publication

Monitoring and Responding

Respond to reader inquiries: You may receive questions or comments about your article. Responding professionally enhances the impact of your work.

Monitor citations: Track how your work is cited and used. Report any misrepresentations to the editorial office.

Update contact information: Notify the journal if your email or institutional affiliation changes to ensure you receive important communications.

Data Sharing

If you included a "Data Available on Request" statement, be prepared to:

• Respond promptly to reasonable data requests
• Provide data in accessible formats
• Maintain data availability for at least 5 years post-publication

Corrections and Clarifications

If you become aware of errors or receive substantive criticism:

• Evaluate whether a correction is needed
• Contact the editorial office promptly
• Provide thorough documentation

Conclusion

We are committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient publication process for your article. By following these guidelines and meeting the specified deadlines, your research will be disseminated rapidly to the global scientific community.

Thank you for choosing Green and Sustainable Environments for publication. We look forward to sharing your important contributions to sustainability science with the world.