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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 to organisations developing technology that could help the aviation industry transition to zero carbon emission flight. The annual fund is capped at £250,000, with applicants urged to propose bids not exceeding £50,000. Exceptional projects may merit consideration for amounts beyond this limit. 

Projects should address at least one of the following priority areas:
  • Alternative Fuels: Develop and research alternative fuels for aviation that have lower carbon emissions compared to traditional jet fuels. This could include biofuels, hydrogen-based fuels, or synthetic fuels. Storage, handling, aircraft refuelling/defueling, distribution, and associated technologies at Bristol Airport.
  • Electricity: including charging, storage, handling, batteries, electric distribution, and associated technologies at Bristol Airport.
  • Local offsetting: projects to generate positive carbon reduction which can be used to offset emissions from Bristol Airport where applicable.
  • Innovative Technologies: Support the development of innovative technologies and solutions that have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions from aviation, even if they are in early stages of development.
  • Infrastructure and Operations: Focus on improving airport infrastructure and operational practices to reduce carbon emissions, such as optimizing air traffic management systems, implementing ground-based electric vehicle fleets, or enhancing airport energy efficiency.

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.

Funded projects

Phase Project Objectives Outcome
Phase 1 Sustainable Surface Access Strategy, Buckinghamshire University  Tackle surface access and commuting emissions by conducting research to estimate the potential carbon and cost savings for Bristol Airport from the implementation of several feasible and controllable employee transport to work schemes and incentives.  Successfully completed a comprehensive employee journey-to-work survey during the busy summer 2022 period, obtaining insightful responses representing 39 different employers at Bristol Airport. 
Phase 1  Electric Ground Handling Equipment, easyJet  Use funding to develop the infrastructure to accelerate the electrification of airside vehicles and equipment at Bristol Airport.  The six-month trial resulted in a saving of 1721 Kgs of carbon during the period the electrical ground handling equipment was in use with only 59 Kgs emitted compared with 1780 Kgs emitted using like-for-like diesel equipment. 
Phase 1  Increasing Airfield Carbon Sequestration through Biochar,
Johns Associates
 
Exploring biochar additives to airfield soil to boost carbon sink function and indirectly creating enhancements to the grassland reducing need for artificial fertiliser addition and boosting biodiversity whilst working within CAA CAP772 wildlife hazard requirement.  The project involves developing experimental protocols and analysis methods, including the selection of four experimental and control plots on an airfield. A botanical baseline survey has been completed for these plots, and biochar has been installed beneath the grassland in the experimental plots. The soil is now stabilizing, and analysis is being conducted. 
Phase 2  Wildflower implementation,
Eden Project
 
Transform spaces across the airport estate as part of a long term commitment to reduce carbon, encourage biodiversity and creativity in our spaces. Using local quarry material and seed, including plants unique to the area like Cheddar pink.  Wildflower continues to flower on a seasonal basis site wide. Signage has also been put up as a lasting reference to the wildflower on the airport site and a tool for the community.  
Phase 2  Community Partnership for Environmental and Employment Impact, Groundwork  Establish a mutually beneficial partnership that provided environmental, educational, and economic benefits to South West communities and those near the airport. It focused on developing a woodland management plan to capture carbon, reduce the airport's scope 3 emissions, and protect local ecosystems.  The airport made a financial contribution to support with the hiring of a dedicated Centre Manager, who developed and implemented a woodland management plan to enhance biodiversity and maximise its potential as a carbon sequestration site. Goblin Combe is now also listed as volunteer day for BRS staff and for construction workers onsite to enable them to meet their own social value objectives.
Phase 3  Nature investment strategy, Wanderlands  The project will outline short, medium and long term investment strategies into UK carbon offsetting projects on a local, regional and national basis within the UK. This will secure carbon offsets from high integrity and transparent projects as this becomes an area of increased scrutiny and questioning from local groups.   Ongoing 
Phase 3  Hydrogen feasibility study, Ultima Forma  The project involves designing, analysing, and animating a mobile liquid hydrogen refuelling system for Bristol Airport. The project will provide design drawings and analysis of how a mobile hydrogen refuelling system would integrate safely into the airport.  Ongoing 
Phase 3  Nuclear derived SAF and Hydrogen, Equilibrion  This project will carry out research and development on nuclear-derived SAF and hydrogen production technology, as part of a feasibility study to investigate how these fuels can be produced within the South West region and be delivered to Bristol Airport for use in planes and land transport vehicles.  Ongoing