Finland Orders Google to Stop Clearing Forest at Two Data Centre Sites
Finland’s Licensing and Supervision Agency (LVV) has ordered Google’s Finnish subsidiary, Tuike Finland Oy, to stop work at two planned data centre sites, in Muhos and Kajaani, effective immediately and by October 23rd at the latest. The halt lasts until environmental impact assessments (EIA) for both projects are complete.
Key Points:
- The order covers activities that significantly alter the environment, such as tree felling, topsoil removal, digging, quarrying, and construction-related work.
- About 300 hectares of forest had already been cleared at the Muhos site.
- Google acknowledges falling short of its own standards at the Muhos location.
- The LVV issued the order based on significant environmental changes already taking place at the sites.
- Google plans to plant trees across 130 hectares at Muhos to mitigate the impact.
Background:
Google announced a €13 billion investment in Finland, including data centre projects in Muhos, Kajaani, Vaala, and Hamina. The local plans for these sites face administrative court appeals.
Reactions:
Hanna Halmeenpää, chair of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, expressed concern over the logging of “nature sites which should be preserved.” Environment minister Sari Multala expects the projects to be delayed.
Google’s Response:
“We understand the concerns and have fallen short of our own high standards in this instance,” said a Google spokesperson. The company acted in good faith under the Forestry Act and conducted nature surveys with protection measures in place.