T he National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) of EU member countries are heavily reliant on forest biomass. Th ere is heated debate, however, over whether binding sustainability criteria for energy use from forest biomass are actually needed. Th is Feature highlights the fi ndings of a recent Th inkForest event in the European Parliament which discussed the feasibility and sustainability of forest biomass as a renewable energy source (RES). Under current market and price trends, increasing mobilization of wood from the European forest is not evident, considering a decreasing trend in wood demand by the pulp and paper sector, which has energy wood as an important by-product. Increasing imports of energy wood can be expected. A coherent policy on sustainable forest management practice should require the same criteria for any wood product, whether from import or domestic source. Sustainability must focus on diff erent issues. Sustained yield is currently well ensured in the EU domestic forest sector, considering the current large stocks and low harvesting rates, but some stress tests on the control tools in each country would be useful. Sustainable forest site quality proved to be an issue and, depending on site conditions, residue harvesting needs limitations. Wood mobilization needs to be accompanied by strictly implemented biodiversity safeguards, while increased mobilization may also have biodiversity, fi re prevention, and climate change resilience benefi ts. Carbon neutrality seems an absolute minimum requirement for a subsidized fossil fuel alternative, but a standardized science-based approach considering the complex time-and-space issues related to the greenhouse gas balance of the forest value chain is due. A strong recommendation of the meeting was that EU renewable energy policy should be essentially backed by energy effi ciency and product cascading policies. Under these conditions, energy from forest biomass can become a sustainable option.