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Survey Highlights Differences in Sustainable Development Priorities
around the World
Midland, MI - Sept 5, 2007 -Waste reduction is the most important environmental issue facing
manufacturing businesses today, according to an international study on
sustainability and environmental trends conducted by Harris Interactive for Dow
Corning Corporation. Eight out of ten managers and professionals in the USA;
Brazil; Italy & Germany rank waste reduction as a higher priority than
other environmental factors: such as increasing energy efficiency or;
developing green (environmentally friendly) products.
But the study of more than 1,000 people also reveals how
attitudes about sustainability vary across the world. Managers in China, Korea
and India for example, consider the development of green (environmentally
friendly) products as a more important driver than CO2 emissions, use of
clean/renewable energy sources or waste reduction.
Other key findings of the research show that:
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Globally, customers are seen as the most important and the media as the
least important influences on sustainability and environmental
decisions. However, there are marked differences between countries. In
Korea, four out of ten managers rank the government as the number one
influencer compared to 12% in Germany and 14% in USA.
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Environmental & Sustainability programs have a strong influence on
whether a company will be considered as a potential supplier. On average, eight
out of ten companies globally say that environmental and sustainability factors
are taken into account when they select suppliers. In India, one in two
managers consider environment/sustainability factors of critical importance - a
significantly higher level than their counterparts in China (26%).
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Company reputation is not seen as the main factor driving a company’s
decision making around environmental activities. In all countries surveyed
(except Korea), the health, safety of employees, customers and suppliers was
rated as the most important influence Managers in Korea, viewed the long term
sustainability of their business as the most important factor.
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Companies in the Americas are more likely to have a dedicated team
responsible for sustainability decision-making than companies in Asia or
Europe.
“What’s clear from these results is that while there are
differences in emphasis around the world, the priority for companies both big
and small, is to reduce their own environmental footprint through reducing
waste,’ said Peter Cartwright, Dow Corning executive director for environment,
health and safety.
He added: “While the focus today may be on dealing with waste
reduction, in the future I anticipate we’ll see more emphasis on areas such as
CO2 emissions and use of renewable energy sources as the whole issue of climate
change gets more attention”
Detailed findings of this survey can be found by clicking here.
More than 1000 respondents from a wide range of manufacturing companies were
interviewed for the research survey across seven countries – USA, Brazil,
Italy, Germany, China, Korea and India. The survey was conducted on
behalf of Dow Corning by the independent market research company, Harris
Interactive. The telephone survey took place between November 2006
and January 2007.
Visit the Technical Library at www.dowcorning.com to find more information about Dow Corning’s waste
reduction expertise.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides
performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000
customers worldwide. A global leader in silicon-based technology and
innovation, offering more than 7,000 products and services, Dow Corning is
equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and
Corning Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s sales are
outside the United States.
About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based
in Rochester, New York, and London is the 13th largest and the
fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The
Harris Poll® and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research
industry. Long recognised by its clients for delivering insights that enable
confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative
research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads
to measurable and enduring value
For More Information,
Contact:
Karen Heenan-Davies, Europe: Phone: + 44 1446 723 498
Jarrod Erpelding, Americas: Phone: + 1 989 496 1582
Liliana Ng, Asia: Phone: + 852 2835 0387
WE HELP YOU INVENT THE FUTURE™
www.dowcorning.com
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