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The coalition government is determined
to continue the process
of making our economy less reliant
on oil, gas, coal -
the fossil fuels -
and moving towards low-carbon sources of energy.
It's important we're honest about the scale of the challenge,
because time is short
and the time for talk is over.
I'll report to parliament every year,
in the annual energy statement,
on the steps that the government's taking
to accelerate this transformation of the economy.
Using our 2050 calculator we've published six pathways
illustrating that an 80% cut in emissions by 2050 is achievable,
and it's compatible with maintaining security of energy supplies.
Most telling of all is the "do nothing" scenario,
which leads to high oil and gas prices.
We'd have an economy exposed to really big shocks,
rather like it was back in the bad old days
of the '70s and '80s.
We'd have declining reserves ourselves,
and we'd face soaring global demand
and a real buffeting for businesses and jobs in this country.
Nothing could be further from our national interest.
You can explore the 2050 world yourself
and design your own energy system.
You just have to log onto the department's website
and work it out.
If you disagree with the sort of decisions we're taking,
please write in and say so.