The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) recognises the importance of equity in conservation. Yet there remains a lack of evidence directly addressing the relationship between equity and conservation.

This briefing considers 40 papers that describe conservation interventions involving changes in governance quality and associated ecological outcomes. It highlights that equitable governance is important to effective conservation and is associated with positive ecological outcomes. Equitable governance is therefore a critical means to achieve GBF targets and should receive more political, financial and technical support, including being mainstreamed in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.