Energy & Environmental Science

2.0 Article types

2.1 Research Papers

Full Research Papers contain original scientific work that has not been published previously. However, extension of work that has appeared in print in a short form such as a Communication is also encouraged. There are no restrictions on the length of a paper.

Authors should include a brief discussion in the Introduction that sets the context for the novel work and gives their motivation for carrying out the study.

2.2 Reviews

These are normally commissioned by the Energy & Environmental Science Editorial Board and Editorial Office, although suggestions from readers for topics and authors of reviews are most welcome and should be directed to the Editor. Energy & Environmental Science Reviews are high profile feature articles that present a state-of-the-art account of a research field that is of general interest to the journal's wide readership. All Reviews undergo a rigorous and full peer review procedure, in the same way as regular research papers. Notes on the preparation of Reviews are available from the Editor, and will be provided to referees. Energy & Environmental Science publishes two types of reviews: Perspectives and Minireviews.

Perspectives present an authoritative state-of-the-art account of a research field. A Perspective may take the form of a personal account of research, or a critical analysis of a topic of current interest. In either form, some new unpublished research may be included. Perspectives normally comprise 5000 to 10000 words of text, together with supporting figures and tables.

Minireviews are shorter, more focused accounts of important new fields of research. They are typically up to 3000 words in length.

2.3 Communications

These contain either a complete study or a preliminary report but in either case must contain original and highly significant work whose interest to the Energy & Environmental Science readership and high novelty warrants rapid publication. Authors should supply with their submission a justification of why the work merits urgent publication as a Communication. Referees will be asked to judge the work on these grounds. Communications are given high visibility within the journal as they are published at the front of an issue. Communications will not normally exceed the length of four printed journal pages, however, exceptions may be made at the Editor's discretion. Full papers based on Communications are encouraged provided that they represent a substantial extension of the original material.

2.4 Opinions

Opinions in Energy & Environmental Science are typically up to 2000 words in length and provide a personal, often speculative, viewpoint or hypothesis on a topic of current interest to the scientific community. They may concern a recent publication in Energy & Environmental Science (in which case the author(s) concerned will be given the opportunity to respond) or discuss any current hot topic from the authors point of view; provided that they are not defamatory to the work of others they can be controversial and stimulate counter-opinion. They can include a short biography of the author(s).

Opinions on set topics may be invited by the Editorial Office but unsolicited pieces in response to papers already published are encouraged to promote scientific discussion. 

2.5 Analysis Articles

The purpose of Analysis articles in Energy & Environmental Science is to quantitatively analyse technologies and technological systems. Analysis articles provide an in-depth examination of energy and environmental technologies, strategies, policies, and overarching conceptual frameworks that will be of interest to the journal's wide and global readership. They should present new methods and data and fresh insights, and should be written for a scientifically literate audience. They must demonstrate scholarly rigor and tightness of presentation comparable to articles in mainstream science.

An Analysis article should not simply be a repository of data with superficial or speculative commentary. Instead, through an Analysis article a reader of Energy & Environmental Science should learn something new about methods or data, or will be educated about an important new technology or technological strategy, or will see a policy argument in a fresh light.

Authors of potential Analysis articles are encouraged to contact the Editorial Office, to discuss the scope and suitability of their article. All Analysis submissions will be subject to rigorous peer review in the normal way.