Contingent Valuation Method and the beta model: an accounting economic vision for environmental damage in Atlântico Sul Shipyard

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to apply the beta model as an alternative to the Valuation Method in order to estimate the environmental asset Willingness to Pay (WTP) so that the Tribunal de Contas do Estado de Pernambuco (TCE/PE) can supervise the Atlântico Sul Shipyard (ASS) as a negative environmental externality, which is discussed here from an accounting perspective. Our methodology is exploratory, and the beta regression model was used in the contingent valuation to estimate the environmental asset. The results allowed estimating the value of the Ipojuca mangrove at US$ 134,079,793.50, and the value of the environmental damage caused by the shipyard to the public asset was valued at US$ 61,378,155.37. This latter value is object of interest to the inspection body. However, the final estimated value of the Ipojuca mangrove prompts a discussion about the implications from an accounting point of view, such as the attribution of monetary value to a public asset that does not have a financial value, problems regarding the conceptualization and valuation of public assets for governmental patrimony. It is concluded that the beta regression model to estimate the WTP for contingent valuation will serve as a contribution to the research on accounting measurement techniques for public assets.