Industrial Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Mitigation in Smart Cities: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

In the context of escalating urbanisation and climate change, smart cities emerge as a beacon of sustainable urban development, leveraging cutting-edge technology and data analytics to enhance municipal services and the well-being of residents. This review article, focusing on industrial energy efficiency within smart cities, underscores the pivotal role of these urban environments in mitigating climate change impacts. It highlights the industrial sector’s substantial contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, driven by energy-intensive processes predominantly fuelled by fossil fuels. The study presents a comparative analysis of emissions across continents, revealing the industrial activities’ significant environmental footprint. It advocates for energy efficiency as a strategic imperative to reduce energy consumption, curb emissions, and foster sustainability. The paper concludes by recommending policy interventions that incentivise eco-friendly industrial practices, endorse the circular use of materials, and promote sustainable economic models. These recommendations are contextualised within Iceland’s CAP 2020 initiative, which aims for a significant reduction in emissions by 2030, underscoring the need for sustainable material management, particularly in metallic ores and fossil fuels, to align with environmental sustainability goals. The article calls for a global collaborative effort, beyond individual national policies, to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change, advocating for international cooperation, investment in renewable energy, and a transition towards a more sustainable future.