Synopsis

A joint collaboration between WRI and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

This WRI/WBCSD guide provides simple, clear information about the 10 key issues related to sustainable procurement of wood and paper-based products. The guide is designed as an information support tool to assist users as they develop and implement their own procurement policies for forest products.

Executive Summary

Find out more at https://www.SustainableForestProducts.org.

Version 3 of this guide incorporates the most up-to-date developments on the legality of forest products, new technological developments to control wood and paper supply chains and increase their transparency, and an expanded chapter on the social implications of forest products.


Decisions regarding the purchase and use of wood and paper-based products can have far-reaching, long-term impacts on the forests where they are harvested and the people and industries that depend on those forests for their livelihoods and raw materials.

This joint WRI/WBCSD publication provides information about 10 key issues procurement managers might address as they develop and implement their procurement policies:

  • Origin: Where do the products come from?
  • Information accuracy: Is information about the products credible?
  • Legality: Have the products been legally produced?
  • Sustainability: Have forests been sustainably managed?
  • Special forests: Have special forests been protected?
  • Climate change: Have climate issues been addressed?
  • Environmental protection: Have appropriate environmental controls been applied?
  • Recycled fiber: Has recycled fiber been used appropriately?
  • Other resources: Have other resources been used appropriately?
  • Local communities and indigenous peoples: Have the needs of local communities or indigenous peoples been addressed?

The guide also characterizes a selection of helpful tools and explains the maze of terminology around sustainable forest products.