Around 1.3 million Hamburg residents vote on the future and climate!

Around 1.3 million Hamburg residents vote on the future and climate!

In Hamburg, voters are in the starting blocks: around 1.3 million voting documents will now be sent out for the referendum on October 12, 2025. How Sat.1 Regional According to reports, there are more than 2,200 delivery people on duty who will distribute the documents to those entitled to vote in the coming weeks. These votes are the first since 2013, and there are many issues that concern Hamburg's citizens.

The first referendum is entitled “Hamburg’s Future Decision” and has the goal of achieving climate neutrality in the city by 2040 – five years earlier than previously planned. The left-wing faction in particular campaigned for this project. The second referendum called “Hamburg tests basic income” will also take place on the same day. This is about the introduction of a basic income for around 2,000 Hamburg residents for a period of three years, and this issue also receives exclusive support from the left-wing faction.

Hamburg's future decision is in the fast lane

The “Hamburg Future Decision” enjoys broad support from organizations such as Fridays for Future Hamburg, NABU Hamburg as well as the Hamburg Tenants Association and the ver.di union. The terms of the contract are clear: In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, CO2 emissions must be reduced by at least 70 percent by 2030 and even by 98 percent by 2040. In addition, binding annual reduction targets and socially acceptable implementation of all measures are planned. An important hurdle is the required votes: In order for the changes to the Hamburg Climate Protection Act (HmbKliSchG) to be accepted, at least 20 percent of those eligible to vote, i.e. 263,338 people, must agree. Wikipedia highlights that the collection of signatures for this popular initiative began in January 2024 and the necessary quorum was significantly exceeded.

The support for the “Hamburg Decision for the Future” goes beyond political boundaries and is also supported by prominent personalities such as the author Jan Delay and the honorary citizen Michael Otto. This should further mobilize an already engaged electorate.

Basic Income – A Social Test Run

Parallel to the climate challenges, the referendum on a basic income will also focus on the social network in Hamburg. The “Hamburg tests basic income” initiative aims to guarantee citizens basic financial security for a period of three years. Here too, support remains limited to the left-wing faction. As in the climate debate, the voices here will also be loud on October 12th.

It is important for citizens to know that they do not have to request a separate postal vote to vote. The voting documents can be sent free of charge or delivered directly to a district office. On voting day itself, 185 voting points will be open in the city to ensure a smooth process.

These referendums represent a significant step, not only in climate policy, but also in terms of social justice and innovative models for securing living standards in Hamburg. If we take a look at the current political discussions in Germany, the pressure on the government to act on climate policy is even greater Robert Bosch Foundation determines. Involving the population in such decision-making processes is seen as central to sustainable change. The Hamburger Weg could therefore be a blueprint for other cities in Germany.