From today, visitors to Denmark's capital can earn credits for public transport, attraction entrances, and more by picking up litter, using zero-emissions transport, or doing short volunteer stints.
Denmark, the world's best place to be a woman and a country that regularly features high in the global happiness index, is hoping that its innovative idea will do more than just help keep their city clean.
The trial program runs from 12 July to 11 August, and Copenhagen wants to invite good behaviour by instilling in visitors the values and habits that make Copenhagen one of the most environmentally sustainable European capitals.
Visitors can earn rewards at the city's numerous attractions, ranging from a free lunch or a cup of coffee to a kayak tour or even a free entrance to a museum by participating in several sustainable activities, including biking or taking zero-emissions public transport, picking up litter, or “pledging sustainable behaviour.”
The initiative is called CopenPay and a GPS map of the city with all the restaurants, services, and attractions that accept these eco-credits are highlighted, along with what you must do to earn them.
The tourist board’s communications chief, Rikke Holm Petersen, is excited to see the results. It's also hoped that there is another side to the eco-equation: “Imagine if we could have people taking a greener mindset back with them - if that was the souvenir they got - that would be amazing,” Ms. Petersen told the BBC.