Examine why most countries want to reduce their dependence on oil.

It is likely that there would be some introductory comments on the degree of dependence on oil (proportion of energy mix) and/or recognition that it is a finite resource.

Responses should examine several reasons for a desire to reduce dependence on oil. These might include the following:

• geo-political – insecurity about supplies (for example, US dependence on an unstable Middle East, Venezuela), the rundown of internal sources (US, North Sea)
• economic – the rising cost of oil (possibly with some evidence, such as changes in the cost per barrel)
• environmental – concern about the contribution of oil to global warming, the increased public awareness of the damage done to the environment, the Kyoto Agreement
• alternative energy sources – competition from these sources as their costs fall.

The strongest responses, accessing bands E/F, will incorporate most aspects of the reasons listed above, although these need not all be examined in equal depth.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.