The Open University becomes largest university in the UK to support tree-planting through its internet searches

Posted on 20 January 2026 • University news

The Open University has become the largest university in the UK to switch to Ecosia, as its default internet search provider. Ecosia is a not-for-profit search engine that uses its advertising revenue to fund tree-planting projects worldwide, helping users turn everyday searches into climate action.

After a successful pilot of Ecosia, the OU formally adopted the search engine university-wide in November. In the first two months alone of full adoption, internet searches at the OU, have generated around 7,500 trees to be planted by Ecosia. The equivalent of eight football pitches.

The Open University was recently one of the highest climbers in The People & Planet University League, climbing from 62nd to inside the top 40 for the first time. The People & Planet University League is the UK’s only comprehensive and independent ranking of universities based on environmental and ethical credentials.

Professor Klaus-Dieter Rossade, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies and Executive Sponsor for Sustainability at The Open University, said:

“With around 10,000 staff supporting The Open University’s world-leading online learning we are conscious of the environmental impacts of our digital footprint. Switching to Ecosia, is enabling us to embed sustainability further into our everyday working patterns. We look forward to continuing to support Ecosia’s tree-planting work all over the world.”

Fred Henderson from Ecosia, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome The Open University to a global community of organisations taking climate action with Ecosia. Through making the switch the OU is embedding sustainability into their digital tool stack and supporting our tree-planting work in over 35 countries. It has been a real pleasure to work with teams across the OU. The impact of our partnership has already helped to finance an estimated 7,500 trees, and that’s after just a few months!”

Picture: The OU Sustainability group