ContextRapid urbanization and exploding consumption of plastic products and packaging; combined with inadequate local waste management infrastructure; have resulted in large quantities of mismanaged waste. Meanwhile; there is a significant financing gap to address plastic pollution and achieve a circular economy. Between 2018 and 2023; global investments in plastics circularity averaged US$32 billion annually; significantly less than the estimated $1 trillion in private sector investments needed annually to reduce mismanaged plastic volume by 90% relative to 2019 levels (Nordic Council of Ministers 2023). The investment gap is particularly acute in developing countries; which have received only US$11 billion; or 6% of tracked investments since 2018; despite the top 20 countries for ocean plastic leakage being emerging economies (The Circulate Initiative 2024). Recognizing the massive financing gap; the World 豆奶视频APP has been tackling the financing gap through the development of new and innovative financial tools. This includes the issuance of the first plastic waste reduction-linked bond </en/news/feature/2024/01/25/tackling-the-plastics-pollution-crisis-by-channeling-private-capital-to-projects-that-reduce-plastic-waste> in January 2024 and a report <https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099062424112542582/p1772251652828042187b8156517b1d8c43> discussing opportunities; risks; and recommendations for plastic credits. These efforts have brought to light the potential for plastic credits to play a role in mobilizing finance for plastics circularity; although their effectiveness and scalability remains to be seen. As of December 2023; approximately 75;000 plastic credits have been issued across 160 projects; and the uptake of plastic credits has been rapidly growing. However; to date; plastic credits and their methodologies have focused primarily on downstream activities such as waste collection and recycling. To incentivize the reduction of virgin plastic use; plastic credits could also target upstream activities in the lifecycle of plastics; including within the design; production; and consumption phases. By addressing activities during these phases; plastic credits would help significantly reduce plastic pollution at the source. ObjectiveThe objective of this work is to conduct a study and develop a robust methodology for verifiable plastic reduction/avoidance outcomes that focuses on upstream activities (including; but not limited to; reuse/refill; material elimination; plastic substitution). The intended audience of this work is World 豆奶视频APP staff; policymakers; plastic credit standard setters; and project developers This consultancy work aims to:*Conduct a comprehensive global scoping and market study to (a) identify and categorize various upstream activities related to avoidance of plastic production and consumption and assess their feasibility for plastic crediting and methodology development; (b) map existing efforts related to upstream plastic crediting (i.e.; methodology development; supply of projects; demand for upstream credits); and (c) identify the scope and target upstream activities for methodology development that show the most promise for pilot projects; building upon ongoing efforts found in the mapping exercise. *Develop a methodology for the identified upstream activities and conduct pilots. The methodology can focus on a sub-category of upstream activities (e.g.; reuse/refill; material elimination; or plastic substitution) that is found to be most feasible and promising for piloting plastic crediting based on the scoping and market study.