***A new report and online set of tools complies information on the main issues related to forest-based products along with a guide to forestry ratings, programs and resources.

The "Sustainable Procurement of Wood and Paper-Based Products" report and website was created by the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

It gives a rundown of the 10 sourcing, environmental and social concerns purchasers should answer when checking out where their forest-based products come from. The toolkit also provides a Guide to the Guides - a look at wood and paper products ratings systems, certification programs and private and public initiatives. The report compares the systems side-by-side to show which ones cover which concerns and sections of the supply chain.

Along with explaining systems like the Timber Trade Federation's Responsible Purchasing Policy and Sustainable Forestry Initiative, the report does the same analysis to resources meant to work in conjunction with those guides, such as the Environmental Paper Assessment Tool, WWF's Paper Scorecard and Green Purchasing Network.

"Corporate managers are taking a close look at what they buy because of consumer preference for sustainable products, competitiveness, production costs, and the prestige of having a green brand," World Resources Institute President Jonathan Lash said in a statement. "We want to help them make smart choices - both for the bottom line and to benefit the environment, particularly in addressing climate change."