The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) operates at the interface between science and policy and as such, provides a mechanism to develop common responses on issues of importance.

CAFF activities, programs and projects are reported through the Arctic Council, a high level intergovernmental forum to provide a means for promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic states, with the involvement of the Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. 

The most direct path CAFF utilizes to affect policy, is through recommendations sent to the Senior Arctic Officials (SAOs) of the Arctic Council in the form of reports and publications for endorsement. Arctic Council Ministerial meetings are held every two years, Deputy Minister meetings are held annually, while SAOs meet biannually. These governments and organizations enact policies in their respective jurisdictions.

CAFF's national representatives, permanent participant representatives, observer country representatives and observer organization representatives ensure that information arising from CAFF's monitoring, assessment and expert group programs, projects and activities are shared amongst their host governments and organizations, and factor into decision making at different levels.

Through CAFF a vast number of leading Arctic scientists find the venue to cooperate with their piers on a circumpolar scale. This provides the opportunity to learn from each other and achieve a more holistic view of a particular field of study, which can affect their daily work within the national bodies where they are employed.