Google illegally cleared an estimated 250,000 trees in northern Finland to make way for a data center, according to a Guardian report cited by the New York Post. The company removed woodland across 816 acres near the town of Muhos, southeast of Oulu, before completing a mandatory environmental impact assessment required by Finnish law.
Finnish regulators responded by suspending all development at two Google data center sites to study the environmental damage. The case has become a flashpoint in the debate over how fast Big Tech is expanding AI infrastructure, and at what cost to local communities and ecosystems.
Google Finland data center allegations
The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency said extensive preparatory work had already been carried out based on available reports, including tree removal, topsoil stripping, construction roads, storage areas, ditch and culvert changes, and stormwater arrangements. Tommi Muilu, head of the agency's environmental department, said those measures would change the environment and cause impacts that should have been identified and assessed under the EIA procedure.
Google's Finnish chief Antti Järvinen said the company believed it had legislative approval to begin the tree cutting, and he apologized for the destruction. The explanation was rejected by critics. Hanna Halmeenpää, chair of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL), called it pure arrogance.
- Around 250,000 trees removed across 816 acres of forest near Muhos, northern Finland.
- Google is accused of clearing land before a legally required Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Finland's Licensing and Supervision Agency ordered work suspended at two sites, giving Google's subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy a deadline of Oct. 23.
