Building a Greener World: Harnessing the Power of IoT and Smart Devices for Sustainable Environment

Environmental unsustainability is one of the utmost pressing challenges facing the globe today, necessitating the adoption of sustainable practices in our daily lives. In this regard, intelligent devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) have become formidable tools to pursue a greener future. These technologies can connect, monitor, and regulate various devices and systems, enabling us to make informed decisions regarding energy consumption, waste management, and other environmental factors. By leveraging the potential of IoT and smart devices, we can facilitate the creation of a more sustainable world that is both ecologically sound and economically viable. The rapid emergence and evolution of sustainable development and smart cities (SCs) have become globally accepted forms of urbanization. This chapter offers an inclusive overview and conceptualization of SCs. Appreciating the latest technological advancements, the development of SCs has become possible with added benefits to the public, such as enhanced connectivity, intelligent decision-making, and improved natural and renewable resource organization. However, the increasing acceptance of SCs has produced various security and privacy problems, including data security, authentication, and unauthorized access. This chapter further aims to offer an inclusive survey of the core concepts and development of SCs’ application requirements, privacy, and security issues, as well as explore various applications of this technology. Finally, it concludes by emphasizing the importance of being aware of privacy and security concerns.