Whereas waste reduction is the most important environmental issue facing businesses to professionals in the United States, Brazil, Italy and Germany, development of environmentally friendly products is more important to professionals in China, Korea and India.

But perhaps this isn't surprising considering the dangerously high pollution levels in China and the fact that almost every product we buy sports a "Made in China" sticker. Managers in the latter three countries ranked developing green products as more important than carbon dioxide emissions.

More than 1,000 respondents from various manufacturing companies in the United States, Brazil, Italy, Germany, China, Korea and India were surveyed between November 2006 and January 2007.

The survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive, also showed that customers are seen as the most important and media as the least important influences on sustainability and environmental decisions for businesses. Company reputation is not seen as a main factor driving a company's decision making around environmental activities. And, environmental and sustainability programs have a strong influence on whether a company will be considered as a potential supplier. Those types of programs led by a team responsible for sustainability decision-making are more prevalent in companies in the Americas.