Overview

• Final results: 53.1% backed the climate initiative with 303,422 yes votes meeting the quorum, while the basic‑income trial was rejected with 37.4% support and 62.6% opposed.
• The decision requires the Senate and Bürgerschaft to amend the climate law to set binding annual CO2 paths toward neutrality, with Mayor Peter Tschentscher saying the city will implement the result and seek alignment with federal rules.
• Turnout was about 43.6% of roughly 1.3 million eligible voters, and 80.8% of ballots were cast by mail, according to Statistikamt Nord.
• City‑commissioned studies say 2040 neutrality is technically feasible but entails replacing gas and oil boilers, decommissioning the gas network, faster building retrofits, widespread electrification including citywide 30 km/h limits, and industrial fuel shifts to hydrogen and e‑fuels.
• Backers of the climate measure included Fridays for Future, Verdi, BUND, Greenpeace and Nabu, while most parliamentary parties and business groups opposed it; the mayor and deputy mayor plan an initial briefing on Monday.