This preliminary study addresses the life cycle sustainability analysis subproject of the Woody Biomass Innovative Project, which proposed to assess the future bioenergy potential for British Columbia from a broad perspective that includes energy, greenhouse gas considerations and climate change, impacts on soil and biodiversity, and socio-economic sensitivities and to consider the need for guidance and policy development. This preliminary study reviews currently available assessment methodologies and proposes a framework for a life cycle sustainability assessment of current and emerging wood-based biofuel products used in three sectors (i.e., residential, institutional, and industrial) in British Columbia. In addition, this study defines data requirements and data availability for a detailed assessment, and outlines the possible policy implications that might be drawn from a detailed study.