With the publication of this first issue ofGreen Chemistryin 2005, we would like to give you a brief update on the development of the journal in the past year and on some important changes that have been introduced with the beginning of this year.Journal changesReaders will have noticed that the journal has a striking new look for 2005. The new modern cover design and size makesGreen Chemistryimmediately recognizable as part of the successful RSC journal family. Individual issues will now feature artwork from the most significant paper/review within the issue at the invitation of the Editor thus enhancing the impact of the journal.A news publicationChemical Technologyforms part of the introductory pages ofGreen Chemistry. This publication draws together news and research highlights from a variety of RSC publications and provides a snapshot of developments across the chemical technology sector. The introduction ofChemical Technologyalso allows the inclusion of full colour contents lists with graphical abstracts making it easier for you to browse for your favourite article whenGreen Chemistryarrives on your desk. To enhance readability and impact further the font size in the journal has also been increased.Furthermore, you will notice that “G” pages have disappeared from the journal in order to achieve greater consistency with other RSC journals. The news material will, however, remain an important part of the journal and we encourage the submission of essays, conference reports and other relevant information to the News Editor.Editorial Board changesWith the turn of the year, the Editorial Board has also seen considerable changes owing to the fact that a number of members have completed their term at the end of 2004. Throughout the year, there are still other changes in the pipeline as current members complete their three year terms and we will announce these at the appropriate time.At this stage, we say farewell to Professor Tony Barrett, Professor Terry Collins, Dr Leo Petrus, and Dr Adisa Azapagic with heartfelt thanks for their excellent commitment and support for the journal over the last three years. Their efforts have been pivotal in the success story ofGreen Chemistry!At the same time, we welcome our new Editorial Board Members in 2005. We are happy and proud to announce that Professor C. J. Li (see photo and biography in issue 2) has joined the Board as our new North American Editor forGreen Chemistry. Together with Professor Paul Anastas, Professor Roshan Jachuk and Professor Tom Welton, the new team is lined up nicely to shape a bright future for the journal.Submissions, publication times, and impactThe ever increasing numbers of papers submitted to the journal continue to reflect the growing interest inGreen Chemistryas a subject and journal. Our publication times remain amongst the fastest in the field, with average receipt to publication times of around 100 days, ensuring your research is given the highest priority. At the same time,Green Chemistryis now more conscious than ever that it has to maintain the highest possible scientific standards. As a consequence, the acceptance rate was consistently around 30% throughout 2004. This stringent policy is supported by a rising impact factor reaching 2.82 in 2004.Supporting our authors and refereesThe RSC has developed a number of tools to help our authors and referees through the publication process andGreen Chemistryauthors can take full advantage of these developments.ReSourCeprovides authors and referees with a single web account for their publishing activities with manuscript tracking and proofing facilities. Authors are also able to access a list of their previous manuscripts and for published articles collect their free PDF reprints and link to the online articles. For further details, please check outhttp://www.rsc.org/resource.A recent collaboration with the Unilever Centre for Molecular Science Informatics (at the University of Cambridge, UK) has resulted in theExperimental Data Checker—a java applet which analyses experimental data. Again further information is found at the corresponding web pagehttp://www.rsc.org/is/journals/checker/run.htm.Thank youFinally, and most importantly, we would like to express our thanks and gratitude to everyone who has supportedGreen Chemistryby contributing excellent papers, providing valuable and speedy referees' reports, or any other form of collaboration. It has been great fun to work with you over the last year and we look forward to reflecting the continuing growth of the Green Chemistry Community and its scientific achievements in the years to come.We wish you all a peaceful turn of the year and every success in 2005! Walter LeitnerScientific Editor Harp MinhasManaging Editor