Antarctica is set aside as a reference area for science and monitoring, as is clearly underlined in the Environmental Protocol. Anthropogenic climate change is already having an impact in Antarctica and will in the future likely to be the most important factor threatening the values held in this unique nature reserve. While climate change over the last 5-10 years has been a top priority issue in the work of the Committee for Environmental Protection, this has not always been the case. This article explores the evolution of CEP’s climate change discussions over the years and how the Committee has worked to organize and prioritize its efforts in this regard. Through the Committee’s continued efforts to develop climate change strategies and actions the Antarctic Treaty Parties will be better placed to maintain the values of the Antarctic nature reserve in the face of climate induced environmental change.