NORDIC CARBON REMOVAL ASSOCIATION

The Legal  Launch of the Nordic Carbon Removal Association

Pro Publico connects Nordic Carbon Removal Pioneers with DLA Piper to launch a new industry-led association.

A United Nordic Front for Carbon Removal

The Nordic carbon removal sector is rapidly emerging as a key player in Europe’s climate response. Yet until recently, there was no dedicated platform to unify stakeholders and advocate for cohesive policy and market development across the region.

That changed with the launch of the Nordic Carbon Removal Association (NCRA  – a nonprofit trade association founded by climate professionals Valter Selén and Alexander Makela, in close collaboration with a growing network of industrial leaders and public sector allies.

Designed as a collaborative hub, the NCRA aims to accelerate the development and scaling of carbon removal solutions across the Nordic region. With over 30 prospective members and a flagship industry report on the horizon, momentum was building quickly. But to bring the organization to life legally and effectively, expert legal support was urgently needed.

An Industry Initiative, Strategically Supported

Valter and Alexander, with backing from Carbon Gap and other strategic partners, spearheaded the creation of the NCRA to ensure a strong Nordic voice in the carbon removal space. As the initiative gained traction, the founding team sought pro bono legal guidance to establish the nonprofit under Nordic law.

They required support with:

  • Jurisdictional analysis of Danish NGO law
  • Legal incorporation of the NCRA as a Danish entity
  • Drafting articles of association and operational legal documents
  • Completing the registration process

Pro Publico Matchmaking in Action

Pro Publico connected the founders with the outstanding pro bono team at DLA Piper, led by Dr. Özgür Kahale. The perfect match was found in Kasper Jørgensen and Anne-Sofie Thomassen of DLA Piper Denmark, who stepped in to provide the legal expertise needed.

Legal Framework, Real-World Impact

With the legal entity now established, the NCRA is poised to become a central force in Europe’s climate action ecosystem – driving policy collaboration, industry coordination, and cross-border advocacy in carbon removal.

“The assistance from Anne-Sofie and Kasper was impeccable. DLA Piper’s pro bono support was instrumental in making the NCRA a reality,” said Valter Selén, now Secretary General of the NCRA. “Pro Publico’s timely matchmaking made all the difference as we navigated the complexities of structuring a Nordic nonprofit industry association.”

DLA Piper Denmark Reflects

“We were delighted to support Carbon Gap in realizing their vision,” said Anne-Sofie Thomassen, Advokat at DLA Piper Denmark. “Working with Valter and Alex was seamless – their passion and commitment to creating a unified voice for the Nordic carbon removal industry was truly inspiring. Thanks to their solution-oriented approach, we achieved our goal in time for the launch event on 3 June 2025 in Copenhagen. We look forward to continuing our support for the association’s legal needs.”

A New Chapter for Europe’s Climate Infrastructure

This case showcases what can happen when legal professionals, civil society innovators, and pro bono networks collaborate for the public good. For Pro Publico, this is precisely the mission: enabling high-impact civic actors to access top-tier legal expertise – free of charge – so they can focus on creating lasting change.

 

Whether it’s carbon removal, social innovation, or digital rights, we’re here to help civil society scale legally and strategically.

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Thanks to @KasperJørgensen @Anne-SofieThomassen @ÖzgürKahale @DLAPiper @AlexanderMakela @ValterSelén @NordicCarbonRemovalAssociation @CarbonGap @FrancescoZatelli @ProPublico

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