The ecology of sustainability (or sustainability ecology) is an interdisciplinary discipline of natural science and social science, which is intended to harmonize nature and social development according to the principles and methods of ecology, or to incorporate humans and their social economic activities into the research framework of ecology. Great achievements have been made in research and applications of sustainability ecology over the past 40 years since the reform and opening-up policy was implemented in China. First, the theory of Social-Economic-Natural Complex Ecosystem (SENCE) was proposed. Second, an assessment index system of sustainable development was established based on national conditions of China. Third, the national strategy of sustainable development was implemented and pilot demonstrations in different temporal and spatial scales were carried out. Fourth, the theory and methods of regional ecological security pattern and regional ecological risk assessment of sustainable development were applied in urban and regional planning, and eco-compensation mechanism was built to promote the construction of ecological security pattern. Fifth, significant scientific support was provided for the formulation of guidelines and national planning of eco-civilization construction, which has promoted the implementation of eco-civilization construction strategy. Sixth, systematic research has been conducted on the impacts of global climate change on the ecosystems of China, and ecological adaptation options to climate change were proposed based on the scientific evaluation of the status, trends and impacts of climate change. Seventh, the construction of eco-province, eco-city and eco-county was strengthened at national and local levels, and sustainable communities, national sustainable development innovation demonstration zones, eco-agricultural demonstration counties, and eco-industrial parks were built at different levels and scales. Research progress in the ecology of sustainability was reviewed from three major aspects in this paper:macro-ecology and sustainable development, eco-city and sustainable development, and eco-industry and sustainable development. Along with time changes, priorities for the research of sustainability ecology will constantly be updated. Research focus in the near future will be the construction of eco-civilization, construction of eco-security pattern, implementation of the UN 2030 sustainable development goals, response and adaptation to global environmental change, and impacts of new-type urbanization and industrialization on the ecosystems.