Writing & Publishing Guidelines

1. Purpose of Publishing at OLGE

OLGE publishes content that:

• Democratises sustainability and green economy knowledge
  • Translates complex research into accessible understanding
  • Bridges policy, academia, and practice
  • Supports SDG 4, SDG 13, SDG 9, and SDG 17
  • Supports other Sustainable Development Goals

Every article must contribute to climate literacy, institutional capacity, or informed public decision-making.

2. Core Editorial Principles

2.1 Accuracy & Credibility

• Use verified sources (government reports, peer-reviewed research, UN publications, reputed institutions).
  • Cite all data clearly.
  • Avoid speculative claims.
  • If using statistics, mention year and source.

2.2 Accessibility

• Write for an educated but non-specialist audience.
  • Avoid excessive jargon.
  • Explain technical terms in plain language.
  • Prefer clarity over complexity.

2.3 Neutral & Nonpartisan Tone

• OLGE is not political or ideological.
  • Avoid advocacy framed as partisan criticism.
  • Focus on evidence, not opinion.

2.4 Action Orientation

Every piece should answer at least one of the following:
• What does this mean for citizens?
• What does this mean for institutions?
• What practical steps can be taken?

3. Types of Content Published

3.1 Explainer Articles

Purpose: Simplify complex sustainability concepts.
Length: 2000–6000 words
Examples:
• What is Green Hydrogen?
• Understanding India’s BRSR Framework
• What is a Circular Economy?

Structure:

1. Context
2. Core Concept
3. Why It Matters
4. Indian & Global Relevance
5. Practical Implications

3.2 Policy Briefs

Purpose: Translate policy documents into accessible summaries.
Length: 1000–2000 words

Structure:

1. Policy Background
2. Key Provisions
3. Sectoral Impact
4. Implementation Challenges
5. Alignment with SDGs

3.3 Case Studies

Purpose: Highlight practical sustainability action.

Structure:

1. Problem
2. Intervention
3. Measurable Outcomes
4. Lessons Learned
5. Replicability

3.4 Toolkits & Guides

Purpose: Provide structured implementation support.
Examples:
• SME Sustainability Checklist
• Green Campus Starter Guide
• ESG Readiness Toolkit

Must include:
• Clear steps
• Templates or frameworks
• Metrics for tracking progress

3.5 Research Translations

Purpose: Convert academic research into public knowledge.

Guidelines:
• Do not copy academic text.
• Interpret findings in practical language.
• Credit original authors.
• Add contextual relevance for India and the Global South.

3.6 Short Explainers

Purpose: Explaining processes or systems. Drawing comparisons.
Length: 300-800 words
Examples:
• Lifecycle of a Green Bond
• How Blue Bonds Work
• Process Flow for Selecting ESG Funds

4. Writing Style Guide

4.1 Tone

Professional, clear, and policy-oriented.
No decorative punctuation.
No emojis.
No sensational language.

4.2 Language

• Use short to medium-length sentences.
  • Avoid buzzwords unless explained.
  • Avoid excessive adjectives.
  • Prefer structured subheadings.

Instead of:
“Revolutionary climate transformation paradigm”

Write:
“Policy framework supporting low-carbon transition.”

4.3 Formatting

• Use headings and subheadings.
  • Use bullet points where helpful.
  • Keep paragraphs 5-8 lines.
  • Use bold sparingly for emphasis.

5. Citation & Referencing

• Hyperlink primary sources wherever possible.
  • Prefer government portals, UN agencies, peer-reviewed journals.
  • If citing statistics, include year and source institution.
  • Avoid citing unverified blogs or social media posts.

Example format:
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023), renewable capacity additions increased by 50 percent globally.

6. Alignment Checklist Before Publishing

Before publication, ensure the article:

✓ Supports at least one SDG
✓ Has factual verification
✓ Is accessible to non-experts
✓ Avoids promotional bias
✓ Includes actionable insight
✓ Fits OLGE’s mission of knowledge democratization

7. Ethical Standards

7.1 Conflict of Interest

• Disclose any institutional or financial relationship relevant to the topic.
  • Sponsored content must be clearly labeled as “Partner Knowledge Series.”

7.2 Plagiarism

• Zero tolerance.
  • All submissions must be original.

7.3 Data Integrity

• Do not manipulate statistics to fit a narrative.
  • Clearly state limitations of data.

8. Multilingual & Inclusion Policy

• Encourage translation into Indian and global languages.
  • Avoid culturally exclusive framing.
  • Include Global South perspectives where relevant.

9. Publishing Workflow

1. Topic Proposal Submission
2. Editorial Review for Mission Alignment
3. Research & Drafting
4. Internal Fact Check
5. Policy & Tone Review
6. Publication
7. Analytics Monitoring
8. Feedback Integration

10. Contributor Categories

• Academic Experts
  • Policy Researchers
  • Sustainability Practitioners
  • Young Fellows & Students
  • Institutional Partners

Each contributor must sign an originality and disclosure declaration.

11. Visual & Knowledge Design Standards

Use visuals only when they:
• Clarify complex data
• Show process flows
• Compare frameworks
• Provide decision trees

Avoid decorative infographics without informational value.

12. Impact Measurement

Published content should be evaluated through:

• Readership metrics
  • Time-on-page engagement
  • Institutional citations
  • Workshop or training uptake
  • Policy references
  • Knowledge-to-action case outcomes

Editorial Positioning Statement

OLGE is not a news outlet.
OLGE is not a consultancy blog.
OLGE is not an activist platform.

OLGE is an open knowledge infrastructure designed to strengthen sustainability literacy, institutional capacity, and climate-informed decision-making in alignment with national and global missions.