Camels as a Climate‐Resilient Linchpin for Sustainable Development in Global Drylands

ABSTRACT Camels represent a significant, yet underutilized, asset for advancing integrated sustainable development in the world's expanding drylands. Previous reviews have examined camels' physiology, milk composition, or pastoral systems in isolation; this review examines their potential as a climate‐resilient linchpin for food systems by synthesizing socio‐economic and environmental evidence, framed explicitly within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We conducted a comprehensive analysis integrating scientific literature with a quantitative assessment of global non‐feral dromedary camel population trends (FAOSTAT, 1961–2020). The findings demonstrate that camels contribute directly to multiple SDGs: providing economic security for pastoral livelihoods (SDG 1, no poverty), nutrient‐dense food (SDG 2, zero hunger), and a low‐input adaptation model that supports community resilience to climate change (SDG 13, climate action). However, this potential is constrained by convergent systemic barriers, including animal health challenges, waterfeed insecurity, underdeveloped value chains, and the policy marginalization of pastoralists, which hinder progress toward decent work (SDG 8) and sustainable production (SDG 12). The analysis concludes with a dual policy and investment strategy: (1) targeted research on camel‐climate interactions, and (2) integrated investments in health systems, market infrastructure, and inclusive pastoral policy. We also acknowledge that unmanaged expansion of camel production carries potential risks, including land degradation and competition for grazing resources. Mainstreaming camels into climate‐smart development planning offers an actionable pathway for achieving balanced and resilient development in vulnerable dryland regions, providing a scalable model for sustainable consumption, production, and community resilience.