Bristol Airport ACT Programme 2026

Purpose & Scope

In 2023, Bristol Airport launched its Sustainability Strategy (2023–2028), outlining bold targets to cut emissions from our operations, drive zero-emission flight innovation, protect the local environment, and boost regional economic growth.

Developed with stakeholders, the strategy sets ambitious goals backed by strong governance to ensure transparency and accountability. It spans airport operations, zero emissions flight, our local environment and supporting local communities, aiming to create lasting positive change for aviation and the region.

One important element of our Sustainability Strategy is the Aviation Carbon Transition (ACT) Programme.

Now in its fourth year, the ACT Programme is driving transformative change by supporting projects that kick-start and fast-track decarbonisation in the South West, focusing on Scope 3 emissions linked to Bristol Airport (e.g., aircraft emissions, passenger surface access, employee commuting, ground transport, waste management, and construction).

Scope 1 and 2: While the ACT Programme primarily targets Scope 3, projects that also deliver Scope 1 or Scope 2 benefits (e.g., on-site fuels, electricity use) are welcome as co-benefits. Assessment will prioritise Scope 3 reductions demonstrably attributable to Bristol Airport's value chain.

2025 projects included developing a nature investment strategy to secure high‑integrity UK carbon offsets, carrying out a hydrogen feasibility study to design and assess how a mobile liquid hydrogen refuelling system could be safely integrated at the airport, and exploring nuclear‑derived sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen production within the South West to enable future low‑carbon fuels for aircraft and ground transport. Together, these projects highlight ACT’s focus on practical and scalable solutions that strengthen environmental performance and prepare the airport for emerging technologies.

More information on these projects can be found on our website HERE.

The 2026 Programme

Fund Size, Awards & Co-funding

Total annual fund: £150,000
Typical award size: up to £32,000 per project
Match funding (cash and/or in-kind) and collaboration are strongly encouraged. Priority is given to bids with a defined cost breakdown and confirmed co-funders/partners.
Joint proposals are welcome; a leading organisation / organiser must be appointed.

Eligibility

Applicant type: UK-based organisations (business or universities of any size). Individuals will be considered if proposals meet the criteria.
Location: Companies must be based in the UK or have a UK-registered office.
Desirable: South West regional projects / entities.
Exclusions: No retrospective funding (projects already delivered/paid for are ineligible).

Timeline of Application and Selection Process

Competition opens: 3rd week of April 2026
Competition closes: 29th of May 2026
Interviews: week commencing 8th of June 2026
Project Start: June 2026
Project End: Last week of November 2026

Priority Areas

We are interested in projects that address the following:

Transport - surface access: Measures to reduce emissions from all airport-related ground transport, supporting a shift to low carbon travel modes and enabling widespread adoption of zero emission vehicles as part of Bristol Airport's transition programme.
Airline partnerships – decarbonisation opportunities: Cut emissions from aircraft on stand, ground vehicles, and engine checks. Track simple usage and idle time, share monthly progress with airlines, and use clear rules and incentives to drive reductions.
Infrastructure & Operations - Airside/landside infrastructure enabling lower/zero-emission flight: Airport and airline-facing innovations that reduce operational emissions, e.g., airside electrification, ground support equipment, process optimisation, and energy efficiency improvements.
Innovative Technologies: Early-stage or novel solutions with clear potential to significantly reduce aviation emissions, with Bristol Airport as a testbed where appropriate.
Electricity & Energy Systems: Charging, storage, batteries, and distribution for airside/landside applications and associated enabling technologies. Alternative renewable energy technologies.
Verified local carbon reductions & nature-positive outcomes: Projects that generate verified, local carbon reductions/removals applicable to Bristol Airport where appropriate, while stacking co-benefits (ecology, health, well-being). Includes development of a framework for verification and procurement of credible national, regional, and local voluntary offsets outside international compliance markets.
Alternative Fuels: Research, development, and enabling infrastructure for low-carbon fuels (e.g., SAF/biofuels, hydrogen, e-fuels), including storage, handling, refuelling, and distribution at Bristol Airport.

Proposals beyond the stated priority areas may be considered by Bristol Airport's ACT Panel if they deliver measurable Scope 3 emissions reduction.

Assessment Criteria

Primary criterion: Quantified reduction of Scope 3 emissions attributable to Bristol Airport's value chain.
Feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and value for money.
Alignment with Bristol Airport's sustainability goals and contribution to the wider South West region.
Scalability/replicability within aviation or across the region.
Credible carbon methodology, monitoring, and verification approach.
Delivery capability, timeline, and risk management.
Partnership strength and match funding (cash/in-kind).
Co-benefits (Scope 1 and 2, ecology, health, community), where relevant.

Governance & Decision Process

Applications must be submitted within the published window; late submissions will not be considered.
Please provide as much information in your application as possible.
Write clearly and in simple language – try to avoid acronyms or technical jargon.
Panel assessment will be made against eligibility and criteria – clarification may be required throughout the duration of the application process.
Notification within three weeks of portal closure of invitation for interview (subject to any deferrals for additional information).
Panel decisions are final. You cannot appeal or submit another application for the same round. The panel may defer additional information where necessary.

Funding Conditions & Reporting

Allocation deadline: All projects must be completed by 30th November 2026.
Monthly virtual progress meetings with the Bristol Airport ACT Team are required.
Each project must submit a monthly progress report.
Publicity: Successful projects may be publicised by the Airport.
Reporting: Post-completion project summary & presentation required; detailing impact, outcomes, and learning.
Use of funds: In line with the approved budget; retrospective costs are not eligible.

What the application must contain

Objective, scope, and Bristol Airport relevance of the project.
Innovation and impact of the project.
Workplan: Milestones (Gantt chart), risks, deliverables, and progress meetings.
Detailed budget and funding sources (identify any match funding).
Partnership arrangements (letters/MoUs where applicable).

Contact the Fund Administrator for further questions - sustainability@bristolairport.com

Examples of previous projects funded by the ACT programme can be found at – https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/corporate/environment/aviation-carbon-transition-programme/

Due Diligence Questions

There are 6 pass/fail questions. If you fail any one of them, your application will not proceed to the next stage (which is the technical assessment stage).

1. Has your organisation been convicted of breaching environmental legislation, or had any notice served upon it, in the last three years by any environmental regulator or authority (including Local Authority)? 2. How much funding are you requesting for your project? 3. Do You Agree to the Terms and Conditions? 4. Is the company subject to a County Court Judgement (CCJ) which has not been settled in full? If yes, provide details. 5. Within the past five years has your organisation or any other person who has powers of representation, decision or control in the company been convicted anywhere in the world of any of the offences within corruption, fraud, bribery, money laundering or participation in a criminal organisation? 6. Do you have sufficient funding in place to sustain operations until the end of the programme?

About your organisation
Full company name Registered office address Website URL Company registration number (if applicable) Company VAT registration number (if applicable) How many employees are there in the company? (if applicable) Is your company revenue generating? (if applicable) Name of your immediate parent company (if applicable) Are you collaborating with another company, organisation or authority? If you answer Yes, please provide details below. Application Point of Contact name Position in the company E-mail address Telephone number Are you able to provide a copy of your accounts for the last two years, if requested? Does your organisation have a Health and Safety Policy that complies with current legal requirements? Does your organisation have an in-house policy for the management of Environmental issues? Does your organisation have an in-house policy for the management of Quality issues?

Application Response

This section will be scored.

Project Title
Please ensure it is clear and concise. Project Summary
Summarise your project in a maximum of 4 sentences. Please ensure it is clear, concise, and engaging. How much funding are you requesting for your project?
Please confirm how much funding you are requesting. Overall Solution
Please provide a comprehensive description of the project you are proposing, highlighting how your solution addresses the Bristol Airport ACT Scope 3 challenge. Project Activity
Describe the activity you will undertake under this project and what will be the output. Innovation
Please describe why your solution is innovative, including how it addresses Bristol Airport's Sustainability Strategy. Impact
Describe the sustainability impacts your project aligns with, with supporting data if possible. Targeted, evidence-based impact is valued over broad claims. This should include expected reduction in carbon emissions and the overall environmental benefits. Team
Name members of the project team. Describe the skills and experience of the project team, ability to meet timeline, how you intend to manage the project, and name the project manager. Consortia & Partners
If you are part of a consortium, state who the consortium members are and if you have any international partners. Describe their roles, and percentage of project activity. Project Cost Breakdown
Provide a breakdown by listing each person (with title) and number of days to be worked. Dissemination
Describe how you plan to disseminate the outputs from your project and your plans for market adoption. Can We Share Your Project Details?
If successful, Bristol Airport would like to share your project details with the other partners for further progression. Please indicate if you consent to this. Do You Agree to the Terms and Conditions?
Confirm agreement to terms and conditions.

Supporting Files
Please attach any supporting files referenced in your application (e.g., Gantt chart, budget breakdown, letters of support, MoUs).