Carbon capture and utilization under EU law : impermanent storage of CO2 in products and pre-combustion carbon capture

The evolving regulatory landscape within the European Union demonstrates a transition from prioritizing carbon capture and storage over carbon capture and utilization towards a more equitable treatment of both approaches in relevant legislation and policy frameworks. Nevertheless, the 'permanence' criterion of carbon dioxide in the products remains an ongoing challenge. Within the current European legal framework, harnessing the regulatory incentives depends on how long carbon dioxide remains in carbon capture and utilization products. The study elucidates the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding carbon capture and utilization by examining recent legislative initiatives and amendments to key directives such as the Emissions Trading System Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive. Furthermore, it explores the implications of the European Union Net-zero Industry Act and the Carbon Removal Certification Framework. In addition, this article examines and explains the need for expanding the scope of carbon capture and utilization and storage by incorporating pre-combustion carbon capture through methane splitting into the definition.Peer reviewe

Realism at the end of the rainbow? : An argument towards diversifying hydrogen in EU regulation

The European Union's (EU) decarbonization strategy involves hydrogen as an integral pillar. Since hydrogen is a secondary energy carrier, meaning it must be manufactured, not all hydrogen is made equal. Renewable hydrogen or RFNBOs (Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origins) have been given high priority by the EU in their strategy to establish a market for hydrogen. The EU's creation of RFNBO usage objectives is a step towards establishing a demand-side market. One such goal is to bring into the EU up to 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen. However, it is doubtful that this large amount can be reached given the strict criteria for what qualifies as renewable hydrogen and, thus, as RFNBO. This article analyses key provisions of the EU framework that affect the EU's aim to produce and import up to 20 million tonnes of hydrogen overall. It concludes the EU's emphasis on RFNBOs rather than a broader range of hydrogen pathways undermines the goal of rapidly developing a hydrogen market. Using turquoise hydrogen as a case study, the article shows how the EU's decarbonization efforts would be aided, trade would be enabled, and fragmentation would be decreased if targets were expanded to encompass additional forms of hydrogen.Peer reviewe

The competence of neonatal intensive care nurses:a systematic review

Abstract Objective: The objective was to conduct a systematic review describing the competencies required from nurses working in neonatal intensive care settings. Design: Systematic review. Data sources: A total of eight databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Mednar, Web of Science, ProQuest and Medic, were screened for relevant literature during February and September 2022. Review methods: The systematic review process followed Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The inclusion criteria were: 1) (P = population) registered nurses; 2) (C = concept) the competence; 3) (C = context) nursing in neonatal intensive care units; and 4) cross-sectional study as study method. A critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies from Joanna Briggs Institute was used by two independent reviewers. After data extraction, thematic analysis was performed. Results: The database searches yielded a total of 8887 studies and after two independent evaluations, a total of 50 eligible studies were identified comprising of 7536 registered nurses working in neonatal intensive care units across 19 countries. The studies described four main competence themes: 1) neonatal care interventions; 2) caring for a dying infant; 3) family-centered care; and 4) neonatal intensive care interventions. Conclusion: Previous research has focused on evaluating specific competencies that are necessary in the neonatal intensive care setting. There is a need for research concerning the overall competence of nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. There was a lot of variety within the quality of the eligible studies and within the used instruments. Protocol registration: This systematic review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022308028)