Google’s Logging of 330 Hectares in Finland Sparks Halt by Licensing Authority Over Missing Environmental Reviews

Deforestation Controversy in Finland

According to НВ — Техно: In the northern Finnish town of Muhos, Google has cleared approximately 330 hectares of forest, an area that once housed around 250,000 trees. Additionally, near the village of Otanmäki-about 100 kilometers southeast of Muhos-another 150,000 trees were cut down. These actions have ignited a national debate in Finland, with growing calls for stricter regulations on data center construction. The Finnish Licensing and Supervisory Authority (LVV) has ordered Google to temporarily stop operations at these sites due to the absence of mandatory environmental impact assessments.

Details of Google’s Finnish AI Infrastructure Project

Google’s infrastructure initiative for artificial intelligence in Finland is valued at 13 billion euros, marking the largest investment of its kind in the country’s history. The company has maintained a presence in Finland for 15 years, during which it has launched 165 projects focused on protecting and restoring water resources across 97 watersheds. As part of its environmental commitments, Google plans to reforest 130 hectares in Muhos and is actively working to safeguard water quality in the region.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized the importance of attracting investments, stating:

“Investment attraction is a top priority, and the value of the data economy extends far beyond direct capital inflows. Our agreement with Google will deliver lasting benefits for both parties.”

Following the deforestation backlash, Antti Järvinen, head of Google’s Finnish division, issued an apology, explaining, “The company acted based on the best interpretation of the law available at the time.” After receiving directives from LVV in October 2026, Google halted preparatory activities in Muhos and Kajaani. Local residents have expressed concern about the ecological consequences, particularly noting that brown runoff from the cleared areas is entering streams that feed the Oulujoki River. Public response included a petition with over 93,000 signatures demanding tougher regulations on data center projects.

Criticism of Google’s actions also came from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged the company to reconsider and build data centers within the United States. Finland currently has 145 new data centers in various planning stages. The unauthorized tree clearing without proper environmental assessments has provoked widespread public outrage. Local activist Hanna Halmenpää remarked,

“At first, I couldn’t believe it. I had never heard of any company doing something like this in Finland.”

This controversy has sparked broader discussions about environmental standards and corporate responsibilities in Finland. The public and activist reactions may prompt a reevaluation of policies governing environmental reviews for large-scale projects, potentially influencing Finland’s industrial practices in the long term.