CopenPay Paves the Way for SDCW Initiative

CopenPay is an initiative created in Copenhagen that rewards tourists for participating in good deeds that benefit the local community. It was formed by Wonderful Copenhagen, a tourist organization in Denmark, to create a structure that would enable tourists to fulfill their desire to be eco-conscious. The idea of CopenPay came naturally, as Copenhagen is a flourishing green city. They serve as leaders in a variety of initiatives such as fossil fuel reduction, prominent biking infrastructure, and consumption of organic foods. 

CopenPay launched as a pilot program in the summer of 2024, from July 15 to August 11. They successfully achieved their goal of turning green actions into currency, rewarding tourists with free experiences as a result of environmental actions. Environmental actions could range from tasks such as volunteering at a farm, cleaning up a canal, or removing invasive plants. Some examples of rewards vary from receiving a free vegetarian meal, a free boat tour, or a discounted museum ticket. The initiative created a simple way for tourists to engage sustainably in local activities, while receiving rewards for their actions. The pilot program’s success led CopenPay to return in 2025, running twice as long as the previous year!

While CopenPay continued to grow in Copenhagen across the Atlantic Ocean, a similar green initiative formed among our neighbors in Los Angeles. As Los Angeles Climate Week (LACW) entered its second year in 2025, Priyanka at MyClimateRx created the Los Angeles Green Guide to serve as a publicly available map that highlights local green resources. The points on the map throughout LA County represent various green services such as sustainable businesses, compost facilities, and accessible food locations. Both CopenPay and the LA Green Guide serve as great ways to encourage local climate-friendly actions within communities.