Google investigated over forest clearing for data centre

Google is under investigation in Finland after more than 300 hectares of forest, an area roughly equivalent to 420 football pitches, were cleared in the north of the country for a new data centre, allegedly without the requisite environmental impact assessment and permit.

The Finnish Supervisory Agency opened its inquiry following a complaint from an environmental protection group. Hanna Halmeenpää, chair of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, has urged that the project be suspended until its legal status is clarified, citing satellite imagery that reveals extensive tree felling, including within protected areas. Google, however, has refuted the allegations, insisting that it complied with forestry regulations and safeguarded protected zones after detailed environmental surveys. The development forms part of the company's planned €13 billion investment in Finland over the next two years, and Muhos municipal manager Kimmo Hinno anticipates that the infrastructure scheme will invigorate the local economy and generate thousands of jobs.

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Nevertheless, unease is mounting among local farmers and residents over the facility's electricity consumption and environmental footprint. Finland has emerged as an increasingly attractive destination for data-centre investment owing to its cold climate and abundant nuclear and renewable energy; consequently, the government regards foreign capital as pivotal to tackling economic stagnation and unemployment. Conversely, mounting opposition to the ecological impact of large data centres run by firms such as Google, Microsoft and TikTok has intensified demands for stricter regulation, with more than 50,000 people signing a related petition within three days.