Aviation Carbon Transition Programme

The ACT Programme is driving meaningful change in the South West by funding innovative, practical projects that fast-track decarbonisation, focusing on Scope 3 emissions tied to Bristol Airport, such as aircraft operations, passenger travel, employee commuting, ground transport, waste management, and construction.

For 2026, the ACT fund offers £150,000, with most awards capped at £32,000. We actively encourage match funding (cash or in-kind) and collaborative partnerships. Got a joint idea? Submit a proposal with a nominated lead organisation! Please note that funding cannot be applied to work already completed or paid for.

Key dates

Applications open: April 23rd, 2026
Deadline: May 29th, 2026

While the spotlight is on Scope 3 emissions, we also welcome projects delivering Scope 1 and 2 co-benefits, such as reducing on-site fuel use or electricity consumption. Proposals will be assessed based on their ability to deliver measurable reductions directly linked to Bristol Airport’s value chain.

Let’s work together to decarbonise the South West and shape a more sustainable future!

ACT 2026 opens on April 23rd 2026 and closes on May 29th 2026.

While ACT prioritises Scope 3, Scope 1 and 2 co‑benefits (on‑site fuels, electricity use) are welcome. Assessment will focus on reductions demonstrably attributable to Bristol Airport’s value chain.

Priority areas

Alternative fuels: Development and integration of lower‑carbon aviation fuels (e.g. biofuels, hydrogen, synthetic fuels), including storage, handling, (de)refuelling, distribution, and enabling systems at Bristol Airport.
Electricity: Charging, storage, batteries, electrical distribution, and related airport technologies.
Local offsetting: High‑integrity local carbon reduction/ removals that can offset applicable emissions from Bristol Airport.
Innovative technologies: Early‑stage or scalable solutions with clear potential to materially reduce aviation emissions.
Infrastructure & operations: Airside/landside improvements that cut emissions (e.g. enabling zero/low‑emission flight, ground fleet electrification, energy efficiency, operational optimisation).

What we fund (illustrative outcomes)

Airside/landside infrastructure to enable lower/zero‑emission flight.
Strategic partnerships that accelerate alternative fuel deployment and decarbonisation.
R&D for alternative fuels to enable use by Bristol Airport and its airlines.
Process and procedure design to reduce/eliminate Scope 3 emissions, using Bristol Airport as a test bed where appropriate.
Local offset opportunities delivering stacked benefits (ecological, health, well‑being) alongside carbon reduction.
Frameworks for verification and purchase of UK/regional/local offsets for voluntary schemes outside international markets.

Eligibility

Applicant type: UK‑based organisations (businesses or universities of any size). Individuals may be considered if proposals meet the criteria.
Location: Must be based in the UK or have a UK‑registered office.
Desirable: Projects and entities in the South West region.

Projects must provide a robust, full assessment of carbon reduction benefits achievable with ACT funding, with methods, assumptions, baselines, and clear attribution to Bristol Airport’s Scope 3 where applicable.

How to apply

Please refer to the overview and guidance document here.

When ready please follow this link to our portal:

Apply now

Feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any queries. Email subject to contain the words ACT followed by your organisation

Funded projects

Bristol Airport’s ACT Programme supported a study with Equilibrion that assessed Eq.flight, a nuclear enabled power to liquids system, to supply sustainable aviation fuel and low carbon hydrogen in the South West and reduce Scope 3 emissions. The study found that pairing Eq.flight with a small modular reactor could produce about 130,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel per year, more than twice the airport’s 2035 mandate need, with life cycle emissions reductions above 95 percent. It set out local distribution via the Exolum network, options for hydrogen use on the ground and in future aircraft, and a phased route from demonstrator to a first commercial facility by the mid 2030s with Department for Transport support.
Ultima Forma created a feasibility study for a first liquid hydrogen refuelling system at the airport. The study produced a concept that separates tanker delivery, buffer storage and airside distribution and uses vacuum insulated storage with silvered copper pipework. Thermal modelling and safety cases were completed and the preferred approach manages boil off through reliquefication to avoid losses and maintain operational integrity. Potential apron locations were assessed with the most practical away from the kerosene fuel farm. The concept is modular for future scale up within COMAH thresholds and sets out the apron equipment and procedures needed for hydrogen aircraft operations.
Biochar was applied beneath airfield grassland to raise soil carbon and improve the sward. The trial also aimed to reduce artificial fertiliser use and support biodiversity while meeting CAA CAP772 wildlife hazard requirements. Experimental and analytical methods were defined in advance. Four plots were established with matched controls and a botanical baseline was completed. Biochar was then installed in the test plots. After the soils had stabilised, monitoring and analysis quantified carbon gains, agronomic benefits and any effects on airfield safety and habitat management.
easyJet used funding to develop infrastructure that accelerated the electrification of airside vehicles and equipment. A six-month trial of electric ground handling equipment saved 1,721 kg of carbon, with only 59 kg emitted compared with 1,780 kg from like for like diesel equipment.

Aviation Carbon Transition Programme

Key dates

Priority areas

What we fund (illustrative outcomes)

Eligibility

How to apply

Funded projects

Nuclear derived SAF and Hydrogen | Equilibrion

Hydrogen feasibility study | Ultima Forma

Increasing Airfield Carbon Sequestration through Biochar | Johns Associates

Electric Ground Handling Equipment | easyJet