The Solutions
The Solutions
Aims: The Solutions is a journal that establishes a new benchmark for solution‑driven science and technology by showcasing effective, evidence‑based responses to global challenges. The journal aims to...
Aims: The Solutions is a journal that establishes a new benchmark for solution‑driven science and technology by showcasing effective, evidence‑based responses to global challenges. The journal aims to shorten the pathway from scientific discovery to real‑world implementation, thereby accelerating progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moving beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, it promotes transdisciplinary systems thinking that critically examines the dynamic interconnections among ecological, social, and economic dimensions. By uniquely integrating cutting‑edge research on water security, ecological resilience, socio‑economic sustainability, and governance innovation, the journal provides actionable frameworks for systemic change. Serving as a vital interface between science, engineering, policy, and practice, The Solutions features rigorously vetted work that is both scientifically rigorous and ready for implementation.
Scope: The Solutions publishes high‑impact, solution‑oriented research that addresses global sustainability challenges through transdisciplinary advances in science, engineering, and technology. We highlight actionable innovations spanning water and environmental solutions, climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation, sustainable systems integration and wellbeing.
Water, Environment & Resource Systems
Integrated water resource management and water security solutions
Nature-based solutions for flood, drought, and coastal risk reduction
Water–energy–food nexus innovations
Three-dimensional water scarcity assessment
Urban water resilience and sanitation systems
Sustainable groundwater governance and monitoring technologies
Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience
Scalable climate mitigation technologies and systems
Adaptation strategies for vulnerable communities and regions
Climate-resilient infrastructure and urban systems
Climate risk assessment, early warning systems, and decision tools
Loss and damage responses grounded in practical implementation
Ecological Restoration & Biodiversity
Restoration ecology with demonstrated ecological and social outcomes
Biodiversity conservation strategies aligned with human wellbeing
Ecosystem services and natural capital solutions
Stepwise ecological restoration of watershed
Landscape- and seascape-scale conservation planning
Indigenous and community-led conservation models
Sustainable Cities & Built Environments
Sustainable urban systems and infrastructure design
Circular economy applications in cities and regions
Green buildings, transport, and energy integration
Urban governance innovations for sustainability transitions
Smart cities for environmental and social outcomes
Socio-Economic Sustainability & Integrated Systems
Systems modelling for sustainability decision-making
Integrated assessment frameworks linking environment, economy, and society
Governance mechanisms enabling sustainability transitions
Institutional reforms aligned with the SDGs
Just transitions in energy, food, and economic systems
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning for complex systems
Technology, Methodology & Implementation Science
Digital tools for sustainability planning and monitoring
AI, remote sensing, and data platforms for environmental management
Decision-support systems for policy and investment
Open science and reproducible solutions research
Lessons from scaling successful sustainability interventions
Action research and implementation science
Solution-Oriented Transdisciplinary Science
Participatory and deliberative governance models
Metrics, incentives, and accountability for implementation
Transferability and adaptation across regions and contexts
Finance, investment, and business models for sustainability solutions
Transdisciplinary and co-production methodologies
Comparative analyses of solution effectiveness
Society affiliation
North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU) was founded in 1951. It offers 69 full-time undergraduate programs, 42 master's degree-granting programs, 5 doctoral degree-granting first-level programs, and 3 centers for post-doctoral studies. It has 22 provincial first-level key disciplines, 3 provincial distinctive key discipl...
North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU) was founded in 1951. It offers 69 full-time undergraduate programs, 42 master's degree-granting programs, 5 doctoral degree-granting first-level programs, and 3 centers for post-doctoral studies. It has 22 provincial first-level key disciplines, 3 provincial distinctive key disciplines (groups), and 1 provincial urgently-needed distinctive key discipline. The discipline of engineering has entered the top 5‰ in the ESI rankings, and the disciplines of environmental/ecology, materials science, earth science, and social sciences general have entered the top 1% in the ESI rankings. NCWU, with an area of 3,835 mu, has three campuses: Huayuan Campus, Longzihu Campus and Jianghuai Campus, and 30 teaching units, including School of Water Conservancy and School of Electrical Engineering, etc. There are more than 38,000 full-time undergraduates, master’s students, doctoral students and international students, as well as more than 2,800 faculty members, including over 900 teachers with senior professional titles, over 1,300 teachers with doctoral degrees, and over 140 high-level talents such as academicians, recipients of the National High-Level Talent Special Support Program, National Excellent Teachers, and recipients of the Henan Provincial Outstanding Youth Science Fund, etc.
Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society (CHES) was established in 1931 with the founding purpose of “gathering hydraulic talents across the nation to address China’s water resources issues”. It was the first nationwide hydraulic academic organization in China’s history. CHES currently has 86,000 individual members, 584 institutional members, 50 professional committees, 5 working committees, and 35 provincial-level societies (including cities with separate planning statuses). Adhering to its founding purpose, CHES has consistently achieved accomplishments in academic exchanges, scientific popularization, think tank consulting, group standard development, standard management, talent recommendations, scientific awards, achievement evaluation, international exchanges, engineering education accreditation, and international recognition of engineering competencies. It has been honored with titles such as National Advanced Civilian Organization, National Advanced Society, and National Advanced Collective in Science Popularization, and has been included in the lists for “World-Class Societies” and “First-Class Societies with Chinese Characteristics”.
Junguo Liu
Robert Costanza