Ecological economics/eco-economics refers to both a transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary field of academic research that aims to address the interdependence and coevolution of human economies and natural ecosystems over time and space. It is distinguished from environmental economics, which is the mainstream economic analysis of the environment, by its treatment of the economy as a subsystem of the ecosystem and its emphasis upon preserving natural capital. One survey of German economists found that ecological and environmental economics are different schools of economic thought, with ecological economists emphasizing strong sustainability and rejecting the proposition that natural capital can be substituted by human-made capital.

Ecological economics was founded as a modern movement in the works of and interactions between various European and American academics (see the section on history and development below). The related field of green economics is, in general, a more politically applied form of the subject.

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.