Blockchain in the Amazon: creating public value and promoting sustainability

Abstract

Blockchain is a recent certification technology that has strong potential to transform many business models and to have a social impact by providing solutions, including governance and sustainability. This paper presents a case study on a pioneering blockchain application on an online platform to negotiate forest credits issued for environmental services. The context is the management of the Green Treasure Program in the State of Amapá in the Amazon region of Brazil, a complex and interesting case for research. The purpose of this study is to identify how blockchain can contribute to the negotiation of environmental investments between the public and private sectors. For this purpose, we conducted qualitative research, a case study, using the lens of the theory of public value and an interpretative perspective. We seek to understand the connections between public value theory and the blockchain application.