🎧 Audio
📖 Script
AGL, one of Australia’s largest energy companies, has announced a significant restructuring plan. This plan involves cutting hundreds of jobs. The main aim is to free up capital, which is money that can be used for investments. AGL plans to use this capital to speed up its transition from coal to renewable energy sources. This is an important step because many governments and companies worldwide are focusing on reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change.
The decision to cut jobs is not easy, and it affects many workers and their families. AGL is trying to balance the need for change with the impact on its workforce. By moving away from coal, AGL hopes to play a part in creating a more sustainable future. Coal has been a major source of energy for many years, but it is also one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Switching to renewable energy, like wind and solar power, can help reduce these emissions.
AGL’s move is part of a larger trend in the energy industry. Many companies are finding that renewable energy is not only better for the environment but also becoming more cost-effective. This means that in the long run, investing in renewables could save money and create new jobs in different sectors. However, the short-term effects, like job losses, are challenging for employees and communities reliant on coal industries.
The transition is expected to take several years, and AGL is likely to face both challenges and opportunities. While reducing its reliance on coal, AGL must ensure a steady supply of energy to its customers. This requires careful planning and investment in new technologies. The company is also working with governments and other organizations to support workers affected by the job cuts. This includes retraining programs and finding new employment opportunities.
Overall, AGL’s decision reflects an important shift in how energy companies operate. The move towards renewable energy is essential for the future of the planet, but it must be managed carefully to minimize negative impacts on people and communities.
📝 Vocabulary
- restructure: to organize something in a different way
例文: “The company decided to restructure its departments to improve efficiency.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- restructure a company
- business restructure
- corporate restructure
再構築する - capital: financial assets or value of resources
例文: “The firm needed more capital to expand its operations.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- capital investment
- venture capital
- capital market
資本 - emissions: the act of releasing something, especially gas or radiation
例文: “Car emissions need to be reduced to improve air quality.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- reduce emissions
- harmful emissions
- carbon emissions
排出物 - renewable: capable of being replenished naturally
例文: “Solar energy is a popular form of renewable energy.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- renewable energy
- renewable resources
- renewable power
再生可能な - sustainable: able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
例文: “Sustainable farming practices help protect the environment.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- sustainable development
- sustainable practices
- sustainable growth
持続可能な
✏️ Grammar Point
Infinitive of Purpose – “AGL is preparing to shed hundreds of jobs as part of a massive restructure aimed at freeing up capital…”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
(会話／ビジネスでの使いどころを日本語で記載)
📝 使用例文
“例: During a presentation, you might say: ‘We plan to improve our service to meet customer expectations.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: AGL is cutting jobs to focus more on coal energy.
- MCQ: What is the main reason AGL is restructuring?
a) To increase coal production
b) To free up capital for renewables
c) To close down the company
d) To reduce electricity prices - MCQ: What is one challenge mentioned in AGL’s transition to renewables?
a) Increasing coal prices
b) Finding new coal reserves
c) Managing job losses
d) Expanding coal exports
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) To free up capital for renewables
- c) Managing job losses
📚 Reading Questions
- What is the main goal of AGL’s restructuring plan?
- Why might renewable energy be considered more cost-effective in the long run?
- What does the word “emissions” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The main goal is to transition from coal to renewable energy sources.
- Renewable energy can save money and create new jobs, making it cost-effective.
- The act of releasing something, especially gas or radiation.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
AGLはオーストラリアの大手エネルギー企業であり、石炭から再生可能エネルギーへの移行を加速するために大規模なリストラを行う予定です。これは、資本を流動化し、持続可能なエネルギー源への投資を増やすためです。石炭産業に依存している従業員や地域社会にとっては短期的に困難を伴いますが、長期的には新しい雇用創出や環境への良い影響が期待されます。この変化は国内外のエネルギー市場に影響を与え、将来的な持続可能な成長に繋がると考えられます。
