Guide for Authors

The Journal of Sustainable Finance (JSF) is a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary, open-access journal published by SPIDER Publishing, dedicated to advancing high-quality research in sustainable finance, ESG investing, and climate-aligned financial systems. Authors are advised to carefully follow these guidelines to ensure smooth submission, peer review, and publication processes.

1. Scope and Aims of the Journal

JSF publishes original, rigorous, and impactful research that advances understanding of sustainable finance and its role in promoting environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusive economic growth.

Submissions should demonstrate:

  • Clear relevance to sustainable finance, ESG, or responsible investment
  • Strong theoretical grounding and/or methodological rigor
  • Contribution to policy, practice, or academic advancement
  • Interdisciplinary perspectives across finance, economics, and sustainability

2. Types of Manuscripts Accepted

2.1 Original Research Articles

Empirical, theoretical, or methodological studies in sustainable finance
Word limit: 6,000–10,000 words

2.2 Review Articles

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or conceptual synthesis papers
Word limit: 7,000–9,000 words

2.3 Policy and Practice Papers

Studies with direct implications for financial institutions, regulators, and policymakers
Word limit: 4,000–6,000 words

Word limits include references but exclude appendices.

3. Language and Style

  • Manuscripts must be written in English
  • Writing should be clear, concise, and academically rigorous
  • Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to use professional editing services
  • Avoid excessive jargon and ensure accessibility to a broad academic and policy audience

4. Manuscript Preparation and Formatting

4.1 File Format

  • Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

4.2 General Formatting

  • Font: Times New Roman
  • Font size: 12 pt
  • Line spacing: 1.5
  • Margins: 1 inch (all sides)
  • Page numbers: Required

5. Structure of the Manuscript

5.1 Title Page (Submitted Separately)

  • Title of manuscript
  • Full name(s) of author(s)
  • Institutional affiliation(s)
  • ORCID iD (recommended)
  • Corresponding author email

5.2 Main Manuscript (Anonymous for Review)

To ensure double-blind peer review, author-identifying information must not appear in the main file.

Recommended structure:

  • Title
  • Abstract (150–250 words)
  • Keywords (4–6)
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review and/or Theoretical Framework
  • Methodology
  • Results / Findings
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion and Policy Implications
  • References

6. Abstract and Keywords

The abstract should clearly present:

  • Research objective
  • Methodology
  • Key findings
  • Theoretical and practical contributions

No citations or abbreviations should be included in the abstract.

7. Tables, Figures, and Appendices

  • Number tables and figures sequentially
  • Refer to all tables and figures in the text
  • Table titles should appear above tables; figure titles below figures
  • Use editable formats where possible
  • Appendices should be placed after references and used sparingly

8. Referencing Style

JSF follows APA 7th Edition referencing style.

Authors are responsible for:

  • Accuracy and completeness of references
  • Consistency with APA formatting guidelines
  • Ensuring all citations are included in the reference list

9. Ethical Standards and Research Integrity

9.1 Originality and Plagiarism

  • Manuscripts must be original and not under review elsewhere
  • All submissions may be checked for plagiarism

9.2 Authorship

  • All listed authors must have made significant contributions
  • Ghost or gift authorship is strictly prohibited

9.3 Conflicts of Interest

  • Authors must disclose any financial or non-financial conflicts

9.4 Data Transparency

  • Authors are encouraged to provide data availability statements
  • Transparency and reproducibility are strongly encouraged

9.5 Use of AI Tools

  • Any use of AI tools in writing, analysis, or data processing must be clearly disclosed

10. Peer Review Process

All submissions undergo double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers.

Evaluation criteria include:

  • Originality and contribution to knowledge
  • Methodological rigor
  • Relevance to sustainable finance
  • Policy and practical implications

Review timeline:

  • Initial editorial decision: within 4 weeks
  • Final decision after peer review: 8–12 weeks

11. Open Access Policy and Fees

  • JSF is a gold open-access journal
  • No submission fees
  • No fees/APC will be charged for articles, and no surcharges will apply for the length of an article, for illustrations and figures (including color figures), and for supplementary data unless noted otherwise.
  • All articles are freely accessible immediately upon publication

12. Copyright and Licensing

  • Authors retain copyright
  • Articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License
  • Proper attribution is required for reuse

13. Submission Process

  • Manuscripts must be submitted via the SPIDER Publishing Paper Submission System: spiderpublishing.com
  • Email submissions are not accepted
  • Ensure all metadata (author details, abstract, keywords) are correctly provided

14. Post-Acceptance Process

After acceptance:

  • Manuscripts undergo copyediting and formatting
  • Authors may be asked to approve final proofs
  • Each article is assigned a DOI upon publication

15. Contact

For submission or editorial queries, please contact:
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Sustainable Finance (JSF)