The Committee for Environmental Protection meets annually to discuss the status of the Antarctic environment in general and the implementation of the Environment Protocol specifically.

The Committee’s discussions are guided by a five-year work plan, which focuses on high-priority environmental issues, as follows:

• Management of risks associated with species not native to Antarctica.
• Management of environmental impacts of tourism and non-governmental activities.
• Understanding and responding to the environmental consequences of climate change in the Antarctic region.

Improving the effectiveness of protected area management and enhancing the protected area system.

The Committee also develops management tools, for example for Environmental Impact Assessment, conservation of flora and fauna, environmental monitoring, marine pollution, protected species, waste from past activities, historic sites and monuments, and more.
CEP members engage year-round in task-oriented activities, including through the two groups that consider management of protected areas and climate change response. It also organises workshops as needed. Since its first meeting, the workload and diversity of issues considered have increased substantially.

At the end of its meetings the Committee provides a report with recommendations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM). This advice has led to the adoption of numerous measures regulating human activity in Antarctica.