2023 Berlin climate neutrality referendum

Climate Neutrality referendum
26 March 2023 (2023-03-26)
Volksentscheid Berlin 2030 klimaneutral Results[1]
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 442,028 51.06%
No 423,594 48.94%
Valid votes 865,622 99.66%
Invalid or blank votes 2,948 0.34%
Total votes 868,570 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 2,430,076 35.74%

The 2023 Berlin climate neutrality referendum, also referred to as Berlin 2030 climate-neutral (German: Berlin 2030 klimaneutral), was a citizens' initiative launched in Berlin in 2018. It was the subject of a city-wide referendum on 26 March 2023, commonly called the Klima-Volksentscheid (English: climate referendum). Voters were asked whether the Climate Protection and Energy Transition Act of 2016 should be amended. The primary goal of the referendum was to legislate a goal of carbon neutrality by the year 2030 rather than the existing goal of 2045. Since the referendum proposed specific amendments to the law, its result would have been legally binding. In order to pass, the proposal needed to be approved by a majority of voters and receive approval from a quorum of over 25% of registered voters.[2] While 50.9% of those who participated voted in favour, as turnout was approximately 18%, the 25% quorum was not met.[3]

  1. ^ Areas where more than two thirds were satisfied in order for a referendum to pass coloured in dark green, areas where there was a majority but less than two thirds coloured in light green. Areas where a majority was opposed coloured in red.
  2. ^ "Climate referendum: Survey shows a clear picture". Berliner Morgenpost (in German). 9 March 2023.
  3. ^ Amelang, Sören (27 March 2023). "Berlin's referendum on climate neutrality by 2030 fails". CleanEnergyWire. Retrieved 22 June 2023.