Aviation Carbon Transition Programme

The Aviation Carbon Transition (ACT) Programme is a fund to kick start and fast track decarbonisation initiatives in the South West focusing on Scope 3 emissions from flight and transport at Bristol Airport.

It provides individual grants of up to £50,000 to organisations developing technology that could help the aviation industry transition to zero carbon emission flight. The fund is limited to £250,000 per annum.

Projects should address at least one of the following priority areas:

Hydrogen including storage, handling, aircraft refuelling/defueling, distribution, and associated technologies at Bristol Airport
Electric including charging, storage, handling, batteries, electric distribution, and associated technologies at Bristol Airport
Local projects to generate positive carbon reduction which can be used to offset emissions from Bristol Airport where applicable
Research into new technologies and future demand scenarios for airside use of green hydrogen and electricity at Bristol Airport.

This includes, but not limited to, direct and indirect emissions reduction through:

Airside/Landside infrastructure to enable lower/zero emissions flight
To allow for strong strategic partnerships to drive delivery of alternative fuels/decarbonisation
Research and Development of alternative fuels to enable use by Bristol Airport and its customer airlines;
Design and implemented processes and procedures to reduce and/or eliminate Scope 3 emissions, using Bristol Airport as a potential test bed
To provide alternative opportunities for offsetting emissions whilst driving stacked benefits i.e. ecological, health and well-being as well as carbon reductions
Establishing a framework to enable the verification, purchasing of national, regional and local offsets outside of international markets for voluntary schemes

In order to make an application to the ACT Programme, the project must be:

Based in the UK or have a UK registered office; and
A business or university of any size
Joint proposals with multiple organisations will be accepted however a lead organisation must be appointed

Projects supported through this funding must deliver a robust and full assessment of the carbon emission reduction benefits that the project would deliver if funding were to be awarded. Bristol Airport’s decision is final and may also identify projects that meet the criteria.

How to Apply?

Applications for the 2024 scheme will open shortly and will be made through our website.