Manufacturing doesn’t require exploitation. Generally there is a tradeoff with automation where the amount of labor required to make something is quite flexible. However, the more you automate the more important the remaining workers become. Which generally means the less automation the more exploitation you end up with.
Automated manufacturing that doesn't care about emissions will still outcompete automated manufacturing that does.
OT: Generally you tend to end up with locations that are only competive with automaton narrowing down their output to products that can have production runs nearly unchanged for years while stuff that is subject to fashion or fast innovation goes elsewhere.
Sometimes, for example lumber mills that pollute more don’t get some inherent advantage from doing so. They are an example where increased efficiency means reduction in pollution, though of course in other industries toxic waste products are inherent to the manufacturing process.
Industrialists often suggest that dumping waste is the only viable option, but frequently it’s pinching pennies with minimal economic benefit.
