The energy transition in Germany focuses on three main focuses: climate equity, the new green economic policy, fair transition - Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

In recent years, Vietnam has had many delegations of ministries, central agencies, and localities to work and have meetings, exchanges, and discussions with representatives of many agencies of Germany and has hadmany valuable experiences. Through seminars with interested parties, the delegations have obtained a relatively comprehensive picture of topics, policies, and practical shifts in energy transition and equitable transition activities taking place in Germany today. The energy transition in Germany focuses on three main focuses:

Firstly, climate equity. The Earth has a change in the climate system, including the atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere at present and in the future due to natural and anthropogenic causes over a certain period of decades or millions ofyears. This changecan be a change in the average weather or a change in the distribution of weather events around an average. Climate change may be confined to a certain region or may occur globally. Thus, in the first focus,the German government focuses on issues related to climate change. Policies respondingto climate change have been widely communicated by the German government and actively received and implemented by the people.

Secondly, the new green economic policy to phase out coal power completely by 2038 and the participation of the Trade Union in the decision-making process, transition, and accompanying policies to realize the goal of green living by 2040. The European Green Agreement is a roadmap with a cost of 150 million euros to build a carbon-neutral economy and society. This is a critical agreement, a policy success of the European Unionin cooperation and development. In the strategy of the sustainable energy transition, the German Trade Union Confederation also plays an important role, always working closely with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the quality of life of coal-fired power workers as well as ensuring social security in coal mine areas that are not seriously affected. As a result, the energy transition gained the consensus of the German working classes.

Thirdly, fair transition. This is the focus of the 2015 Paris agreement on energy transition. The concept of fair transition was mentioned in the introduction and was widely used after that and the principle of fair transition is to have a dialogue with employees to find out their thoughts and aspirations, besides there is retraining for workers to adapt to the new labor force that no longer exploits fossil energy. The German government has decided to spend 40 billion euros to support affected areas and people after the bill to phase out coal power was passed in 2020. This funding will help affected areas when stoppingexploiting fossil fuels to create new jobs and retrain labor resources, helping people get jobs and stabilize their lives.

Germany pledges to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2020, 80% by 2050, electricity rate of renewable energy by natural energy in the total electricity plan will reach at least 35% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. It can be seen that this is one of the data and commitments that mark an important milestone for the energy transition in  Germany, moving towards ending coal mining for power generation. To achieve the above goal, a special Government Committee has been established with members being research organizations of scientists, businesses, and workers' representatives to discuss the goal of ending coal use by 2050 in Germany. This committee will have to discussbetweenthe parties and agree on the roadmap and deadline for the closure of the currently operating coal mines, the compensation mechanism, and the job transition for workers in the coal industry. This is a solid decision to protect the environment and respond to climate change of the German government. However, this is not an easy job, as Germany currently has more than 25,000 workers in the coal industry. The creation of labor and jobs for these workers requires a fair transition to ensure social stability and development.

According to the analysis of scientists on energy transition in Germany, the successful energy transition in Germany is partly due to the people and German environmental protection organizations that have participated in Government policy discussions, the transition process and accompanying policies were discussed extensively among agencies, organizations, and people before formulation and promulgation. Scientific research organizations and environmental advocacy organizations in Germany act as a forum for public discussion and provide scientific evidence and information to the public through different forms and means such as seminars, talks, and documentaries... to raise people's awareness and create social consensus.

Looking at the German government's focus on moving towards a balanced green living by 2050, it shows that a long-term plan with the participation of cross-sectors is needed to achieve the set goal. In Vietnam, the energy transformation has also been included in the government's decisions and is being implemented step by step at the ministries, departments, and branches at the central and local levels. Vietnam is committed to a renewable energy transition with zero CO2 emissions by 2050. To achieve this commitment, energy transition is an inevitable requirement that needs to be implemented soon. With a long sea shoreand a tropical monsoon climate, Vietnam has a vast renewable energy source. Vietnam has implemented many policies to encourage and support the development of renewable energy sources. As a result, in the period 2013 - 2019, renewable energy sources increased at a rate of 31.9%. Up to now, the most prominently developed renewable energy industries in Vietnam are solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectric power. If Vietnam can take advantage of the advantages of geographical location and climate... with appropriate policies, it will stimulate people as well as businesses to develop renewable energy to help achieve the goals set out in theenvironmental protection and sustainable developmentcommitments.

Through Vietnam-Germany cooperation activities, German partners also understand the production situation using fossil fuels in Vietnam as well as the commitments of the Government of Vietnam on energy transition and response to climate change in the current period. The Academy of Journalism and Communicationin exchange activities with German partners also presented the operational model, roles, functions and tasks of the press and media in policy communication on sustainable energy transition and equitable transition in Vietnam; on Vietnam's guidelines and policies on efficient use of energy, towards a sustainable energy transition. In the context that Vietnam is in the process of energy transformation suitable to the country's socio-economic development conditions and strategies in the present and future. It can be said that the energy transition process toward a green and balanced life in developed countries will be a valuable experience for Vietnam and developing countries in the process of realizing this process. With firm commitments to energy transition and equitable transition, achieving zero CO2 emissions by 2050, Vietnam has become a pioneer in the Asia Pacific region towards building a sustainable green economy.

Assoc. Prof.,Dr. NGUYEN THI TO QUYEN

Acting Dean of Sociology

Academy of Journalism and Communication