Andreas Bjelland Eriksen

Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (born 23 March 1992) is a Norwegian economist and politician for the Labour Party. Appointed state secretary from 2021 to 2023, he has served as Minister of Climate and the Environment since October 2023.

Political career

Youth league

Bjelland Eriksen was at Utøya during the 2011 Norway attacks, but survived alongside his cousin Vebjørn Bjelland Berg. He also led the Rogaland branch of the Workers' Youth League from 2010 to 2012.

Local politics

Bjelland Eriksen was a member of the Rogaland County Council from 2011 to 2019.

State secretary

Eriksen was appointed state secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister on 14 October 2021. On 1 August 2022, he was also appointed acting state secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, standing in for Amund Vik, who was on parental leave. In November, his tenure was extended until 30 June 2023.

Minister of Climate and the Environment

He was appointed Minister of Climate and the Environment on 16 October 2023 in a cabinet reshuffle.

2023

A week after assuming office, he received the climate commission's (''Klimautvalget 2050'') report, which notably concluded that Norway's petroleum industry should gradually be phased out and that renewable energy production should be increased. Petroleum interest organisation, Offshore Norge, was notably critical of the report regarding phasing out the petroleum industry and noted that the industry has a plan for zero emissions by 2050.

Eriksen was part of the Norwegian delegation at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Towards the end of the conference duration, he was critical of the final draft, in particular a paragraph regarding transition away from fossil fuels.

Just before Christmas, Eriksen announced that the government would be upholding the decision for the culling of Norwegian wolves within the designated wood zone in the period of 1 January to 15 February.

2024

In February, former minister Ola Borten Moe argued that the government's climate goals were unrealistic and would heavily affect the economy and people's spending. Eriksen argued the contrary and that experts supported the government's aim of reducing emissions with 55% by 2030, adding that according to them it would be reachable.

Eriksen hosted the EU's energy commissioner Kadri Simson during her visit to inspect water reservoirs in Eastern Norway in March.

Contrary to the Norwegian Environment Agency's concerns about the country not being able to reach 55% in emissions cuts by 2050 in their annual climate report in April; Eriksen expressed optimism for the goal to still be reachable. He highlighted that habits like travelling and eating would be challenging.

In July, Eriksen accused Finnish authorities of violating a bilateral fishing treaty between the two countries regarding the closure of the border river Tana for fishing in order to protect the local salmon population. This came after the two countries that spring had agreed to close the river in order to protect the salmon population, but Finland had recently opted to reopen the river for fishing.

It was announced on 23 August that Eriksen would go on paternal leave between 2 September and 31 December and that state secretary Tore O. Sandvik would be appointed as acting minister in his place.

2025

Eriksen announced in February that the government didn't consider products from Temu and Shein viable for Norwegian consumers due to their products containing toxic materials and that they didn't meet Norwegian production standards. He additionally claimed that their products aren't sustainable. A report by the Norwegian Environment Agency had also found toxic materials in eight of thirteen Temu products. Eriksen also encouraged Norwegians to stop buying products from Temu and Shein and also called for stricter checks and regulations on foreign import.

Eriksen shared concerns with the Norwegian Trekking Association in May about considerable intervention in nature and added that "we are essentially losing something that makes us proud to be Norwegian". He also expressed that the Labour Party would be campaigning on stopping further interventions in nature and making Norway "areal neutral" by 2040 "before it's too late".

Personal life

He hails from Stavanger and is a son of former Stavanger Labour Party mayoral candidate . He is married and has two sons.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eriksen, Andreas Bjelland
1992 births
Living people
People from Stavanger
Politicians from Stavanger
Labour Party (Norway) politicians
Rogaland politicians
Norwegian state secretaries
Ministers of climate and the environment of Norway
21st-century Norwegian politicians