Ane Gjengedal works as an advisor in the Section for Climate Change and Emissions to Air in the Norwegian Ministry of Energy. Her job is primarily within the fields of climate change, energy, international negotiations, international relations, law, and sustainable development.
In addition, she follows the development of relevant EU policy and regulations, the green transition, and zero and low emission technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS).
– My job includes a wide range of tasks such as managing cases, conducting analyses, and drafting documents like agreements and political declarations. In addition, I have regular dialogue with other Ministries, authorities in other countries, and different forums and network groups.
– I am currently working on different tasks related to carbon capture and storage, including bilateral agreements between Norway and other countries. I am also engaged in the Ministry’s work with the sustainable development goals, and an upcoming white paper to the Parliament on this topic.
International career opportunities
Ane just came back from two weeks of negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28 in Dubai.
– This is the third Climate Change Conference I have attended as part of the Norwegian delegation and one of the areas I have been working with since I started working in the Ministry.
– Because I work with national, bilateral, regional, and international matters, I have to travel and attend international meetings. This makes the job extra rewarding!
A passion for social justice and the environment
Ane has a Bachelor of Laws from Bond University in Australia with a specialization in international law and human rights. When she found the master's programme in Public International Law, she saw it as a good opportunity to further combine climate change, environmental law and human rights.
– As an individual I am engaged in social issues and passionate about human rights, the environment, and social justice.
– When I found this master’s programme, I realized that it is possible to combine a legal background with other academically interesting areas and important socially relevant issues.
She continued to specialize in human rights during her master’s degree, and she wrote her master thesis on the human rights, refugee, and climate change aspects of international law.
– By working in the Section for climate change and emissions to air in the Ministry of Energy, I have the opportunity to work with topics that I am engaged in both professionally and personally.
International law is sought-after in the job market
Even though her position isn’t primarily as a lawyer, she still uses her legal background in her job today. She emphasizes that international law is a broad field with different career pathways and a lot of opportunities to specialize. She believes that the field of international law is sought-after in the job market.
– My degree in Public International Law was one of the most important factors as to why I got the job. More specifically, the subjects in International Climate Change Law and Energy Law, and the fact that I wrote my master thesis on a climate change-related issue. My best advice is to steer towards a specialization that you are passionate about!
She also points out her international experience and multicultural legal background as important factors in the job searching process.
– I believe investing in prioritizing international experiences, studying abroad and a good combination of subjects can make you more attractive for a position where international law is relevant.
– It is important to embrace that it is possible to work with international law from many different fields and angles – there are opportunities out there and they can be found where they are not expected!
Ane Gjengedal
Study programme: Public International Law
Year of examination: 2019
Work title: Advicer
Work place: Climate, Industry and Technology Department – Section for Climate Change and Emissions to Air, Norwegian Ministry of Energy