Ecological Economics (journal)

Ecological Economics is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by Elsevier on behalf of the International Society for Ecological Economics. It covers research on ecological economics. The journal was established in 1989 by founding editor-in-chief Robert Costanza. The current editor-in-chief is Richard B. Howarth (Dartmouth College). The journal aims to "extend and integrate the study and management of nature's household (ecology) and humankind's household (economics)".

The contents and management of Ecological Economics as a journal has been controversial. Inge Røpke has cited the expulsion of social ecological economists from the Board by Cutler Cleveland when he became Editor. On taking over in 2008, Rich Howarth stated his desire for a more inclusive approach, and reappointed some of those previously removed. However, this inclusiveness has also apparently resulted in further loss of focus as the journal seems to accept anything to do with the environment and economics from any field. In particular, questions have been raised by Clive Spash over the direction of the journal and its influence on the broader movement because of the inclusion of much which is mainstream orthodox environmental and resource economics and shows no awareness of debates within ecological economics nor makes any use of its heterodox theoretical foundations. A good example is the work appearing in the journal on climate change as discussed by Anderson and M'Gonigle.