Helm is a Professor of Energy Policy at the University of Oxford, and Fellow in Economics at New College, Oxford.

He was a member of the Economics Advisory Group to the British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and Chair of the Natural Capital Committee.

His research interests include energy, utilities, and the environment.

In his book The Carbon Crunch and in print media, Dieter Helm has criticised efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through current regulation and government intervention, and the deployment of renewable energy, particularly wind power.

He recommends establishing a carbon tax and carbon border tax, increased funding for research and development, and an increased use of gas for electricity generation to substitute coal.