So Copenhagen resulted in no great climate-change breakthroughs, and the carbon emissions cap-and-trade bill favored by the Obama administration has given way to the realization that jobs are Job One. If you think that means sustainability has also been taken off the table at manufacturing companies, think again.

Companies are increasingly embedding sustainability initiatives in their plans as they seek both to save money on rising energy costs and to find ways to profit from green technologies and products.

"If you consider sustainability broadly, inclusive of not just climate change but issues related to energy, materials, recycling, waste, the use of water, companies are extremely focused on that," says Peter Capozucca, sustainability strategy leader at Deloitte. "They are not viewing it necessarily as a stand-alone sustainability initiative but more as linked with issues and strategic priorities they are dealing with anyway, whether on the cost or revenue side of the equation."

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