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Politics

Planet on the ballot: How soon will Berlin be climate neutral?

As Berlin wraps up its state elections (again), we look ahead at the upcoming Berlin 2030 Klimaneutral ballot. How soon could Berlin actually be climate neutral?

Still dealing with the ongoing landlord expropriation palaver, the Berlin government is looking at another headache this spring: on March 26, Berliners will get to vote on whether to make Berlin climate neutral by 2030 instead of 2045, the current official target.

10.02.23, Berlin. A group of mostly young people protesting at a demonstration organised by the Fridays for Future movement, in front of the Rotes Rathaus. IMAGO / Olaf Schuelke

Whatever you think about direct democracy, it’s fair to ask: Why exactly can’t we do this great thing? After all, when system-threatening dangers arise, many ideas that looked unrealistic can suddenly happen – like a €9 ticket. And nothing is more existentially terrifying than climate change. So why exactly can’t we have a climate-neutral city before we all die?

They need the support of a quarter of the total Berlin electorate

If the YES (Young Economic Summit) campaign wins, the government will have to find a way to reduce Berlin’s carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2025 and 95 percent by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). Or at least they’ll have to explain why – exactly – they can’t.

Politicians are sceptical. Green leader (and possible future mayor) Bettina Jarasch said that while she welcomes the extra pressure the vote brings, she doesn’t think it’s possible for Berlin to reduce its carbon emissions by 95 percent within seven years; the Greens’ plan is to do it in 12. Giffey, meanwhile, is sticking to the official plan, which is 2045. The CDU, on the other hand, said, “hopefully by 2040, but 2045 at the latest”. Only two political groups officially support the campaign: the Green party youth organisation, and the Klimaliste.

IMAGO / Olaf Schuelke

If the YES campaign wins, the government will have to find a way to reduce Berlin’s carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2025

The Yes campaigners argue that not doing anything is likely to be way more damaging to our future. They admit it’s going to require some pretty radical political effort and released a 40-page plan explaining the details, which more or less involves the government massively accelerating the plans it already has: insulate all the buildings, expand car-free zones and green areas and subsidise all climate-saving businesses.

Last year, the campaigners also created a “climate citizens’ council” of 100 randomly selected Berliners to meet experts and to come up with measures the city could take now to reduce emissions. Last June, they presented 47 recommendations, which included reducing speed limits in the city to 30 km/h, stopping the expansion of the A100 motorway, mandatory solar and/or green roofs on new buildings, forcing landlords to declare empty property (in order to “optimise new climate-friendly living space.”)

The government politely accepted the suggestions. But they do not need all this hassle and are doing everything to help the No vote. They have persuaded the Berlin constitutional court that the referendum can’t be on the same day as the re-run state election, which took place on February 12 (their argument: look, you know we’re terrible at organising multiple elections). That would’ve helped the YES campaign to turn out the required votes: they need the support of a quarter of the total Berlin electorate, or approximately 613,000 Yes votes. It’s going to be a close one.