Particle.news
Download on the App Store
61 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Hamburg Voters Approve Binding 2040 Climate Target in Referendum

City leaders pledged to implement the decision under a two-year transition and said success will depend on federal policy support.

Image
Hamburgs Bürgermeister Peter Tschentscher (r., SPD), und die Zweite Bürgermeisterin und Umweltsenatorin Katharina Fegebank (Grüne) erklärten, was nach dem Klima-Entscheid nun folgt
Image
Die Idylle trügt: In Hamburg brodelt es. Umweltaktivisten und Wirtschaft streiten über den richtigen Weg beim Klimaschutz.

Overview

  • The measure passed with 53.1% support and 303,422 yes votes, clearing the 20% quorum, with turnout at 43.7% and a heavy share of mail ballots.
  • The law requires annual emissions caps, yearly monitoring and social-compatibility checks, with annual estimates starting in 2026 and potential corrective programmes from late 2027 if targets are missed.
  • The Senat and Bürgerschaft must amend the Klimaschutzgesetz and update the climate plan, and Mayor Peter Tschentscher confirmed a two-year legal window to translate the rules into policy.
  • A city-commissioned study says reaching the goal entails replacing all gas and oil boilers and retiring the gas grid by 2040, accelerating building retrofits, citywide 30 km/h, full transport electrification, port environmental zones and an industry switch to hydrogen and e-fuels.
  • Backers included Fridays for Future, major environmental groups and ver.di, while SPD, CDU and AfD and business associations warned of high costs and risks; a separate basic-income trial was rejected with 62.6% no.