Berlin starts polls for German capital’s climate goals

Berlin, The Gulf Observer: Voters in Berlin go to the polls this weekend to decide on a proposal that would force the city government to drastically ramp up the German capital’s climate goals. Critics warn it could come with a steep price tag.

Sunday’s referendum, which has attracted considerable financial support from U.S.-based philanthropists, calls for Berlin to become climate neutral by 2030. The target means that in less than eight years, the city would no longer be allowed to contribute further to global warming, according to media reports.

An existing law sets the deadline for achieving that goal at 2045, which is also Germany’s national target.