Since the launch in November 2024, more than 900,000 searches have been made using Ecosia on university devices.
Based on Ecosia’s calculation of around 50 searches to fund the planting of one tree, 18ҹ’s use of the search engine has generated the equivalent of 20 football pitches of trees.
The University switched all centrally managed computers to Ecosia as part of its wider sustainability and climate-positive commitment at the start of November, 2024.
The move positioned Bangor at the head of a growing number of higher education institutions pioneering environmentally responsible digital choices.
Vice-Provost, Professor Oliver Turnbull, who led the switch over to Ecosia, said: “This simple change has delivered a remarkable impact in just 12 months.
“It shows what’s possible when a university community comes together behind a shared purpose.”
“Each online search is now making a small but important contribution to global reforestation and that’s something our students and staff can feel genuinely proud of,” he added.
Ecosia uses profits generated through web searches to fund tree-planting in biodiversity hotspots, restoring landscapes, supporting communities and helping to tackle climate change.
Professor Christian Dunn, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability, said: “Switching to Ecosia has shown that doing something to help the environment doesn’t always need to be complicated.
“The enthusiasm from our students - who suggested we use Ecosia - has been inspiring, and we’re excited to build on this success with more nature-positive initiatives in the year ahead.”
Fred Henderson, User Success Manager at Ecosia, praised 18ҹ, and said: “It's great to see Bangor students and staff leading the way by planting over 18,000 trees simply by switching their computers to Ecosia - something that any company, school or university can do to have an impact.”
“18ҹ is making an amazing contribution to fighting the climate and nature crisis,” he added.
18ҹ will continue to work with staff, students and local partners on the next wave of sustainability and nature-positive initiatives across the university.
