CESS was the earliest institute in the country to embrace the concept of Earth System Science (ESS).

CESS carries out studies in river basin evaluation, ground water management, coastal erosion, and other special problems.

CESS does research in earth system, micro-level watershed planning, natural hazards management, chemical analysis, CRZ mapping, and studies of air, water, land, noise pollution, etc.

The proposed thrust areas of research will be crustal evolution and geodynamics, sedimentology and depositional processes, coastal dynamics and cloud microphysics.

The canteen functions from 9 am to 4:30 pm providing Kerala style breakfast and lunch with snacks and tea and coffee.