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The draft Global Biodiversity Framework proposes to increase protected areas and OECMs to at least 30 per cent of land and ocean by 2030 (30x30). Such areas are central to conservation, but only if effectively managed and equitably governed. In practice, governments often recognise areas that do not achieve successful outcomes or respect human rights and fail to recognise other effective governance systems. We argue that protected areas and OECMs should only be recognised as fully contributing to 30x30 if they are on track to achieve positive and sustained biodiversity outcomes while respecting human rights. Three principles are important: • Delivery of positive outcomes relating to biodiversity; • Recognition and respect for rights-holders and stakeholders living in or near the area or dependent on its natural resources; and • Meeting human needs through ecosystem services. Four levels in making progress towards Target 3 can be distinguished: 1. Areas that are currently fully effective; 2. Areas that are currently partially effective or on track to being effective; 3. Areas that are currently ineffective due to reversible issues; and 4. Areas that are currently and will continue to be ineffective due to irreversible issues. Some policy implications of this typology, its strengths and weaknesses, and how it might be further developed are discussed