From assessment to action: how SAGE enables local solutions for equitable governance in conservation

Equitable governance has become a central objective of global conservation policy, with frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requiring that all protected and conserved areas be ‘equitably governed’ by 2030. Yet a persistent gap remains between these high-level commitments and what is happening on the ground. How equity is understood, and the kinds of practical solutions that actors see as feasible, often vary widely across local contexts. This research presents a thematic analysis of 2,252 actions proposed through 49 Site-level Assessments of Governance and Equity (SAGE) of protected and conserved areas across 19 countries. These actions were suggested by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, protected area managers, government authorities and nongovernmental organisations as practical strategies to address identified governance challenges through SAGE’s participatory, actor‑led methodology. Spanning 20 categories, the actions range from fundamental to transformational.

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Insights from equitable governance assessments in conservation areas around the world

Global policy commitments to ensure that protected and conserved areas (PCAs) are equitably governed have increased interest in empirically assessing and analyzing social equity. Although numerous assessments have been conducted in individual PCAs, there is limited empirical insight into equity as a multidimensional concept beyond the site level. We investigated the distributional, procedural, and recognitional equity challenges associated with the governance of PCAs and determined whether the identified challenges differed according to governance type and actor group. We conducted a meta-level analysis of equitable governance assessments conducted at 37 PCAs in 19 countries that form part of the new SAGE (Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity) database. SAGE is a participatory tool for site-level actors to systematically discuss and assess equity dynamics at their PCAs. We found a large variation in assessment results across the sites. Mitigating the negative impacts of conservation on local communities was most often identified as the biggest challenge. In general, equity assessments tended to be slightly more positive for PCAs governed by and with Indigenous Peoples and local communities than those governed purely by government agencies. Evaluations of different actors often revealed substantial differences in opinion on specific governance issues. In particular, evaluations of PCA decision-makers tended to be more positive than those of PCA users. As an early-stage exploration of the growing SAGE database, our findings provide proof of concept that tools for assessing and improving PCA governance gain value from taking multidimensional approaches and need to consider different actors’ views. Although the growing SAGE database holds potential for further insights on how equity is perceived across governance types, ecosystems, and geographical regions, the primary objective of SAGE needs to remain understanding and advancing equity at the site level.

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SAGE and its early contributions to improvements in governance of area-based conservation

This report provides case study research to assess the effectiveness of the SAGE methodology to improve environmental governance of area-based conservation (that is, protected and/or conserved areas (PCAs)). SAGE, or Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity, uses a multi-actor process where key actors lead the assessment of governance and equity of conservation efforts, as well as the planning, implementation and monitoring of actions to improve governance.

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What does equitable governance really mean? Reflections from Nepal’s Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal

Reflections from a capacity building workshop on transparency and accountability as an action to address identified governance challenges at Gaurishankar Conservation Area in Nepal

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A New Dawn for Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary: Inclusion of Youth Voices in Conservation

The story of how Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya elected vibrant youth representatives onto their board.

Building Collective Power for Equitable Governance

Reflection on the critical and honest exchange at the first meeting of the Community of Practice on equitable governance in community-led conservation areas in Tanzania.