

Dieter Helm
Energy economist and academic known for critical analysis of energy and net zero policy, advocating pragmatic, cost-effective approaches including carbon consumption accounting and targeted R&D.
Top 10 podcasts with Dieter Helm
Ranked by the Snipd community

39 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 60min
168. A Climate Special: Populism, Security, and Leadership
In a compelling climate special, Professor Dieter Helm offers a critical view on the UK's decarbonization efforts, urging a focus on consumption emissions and realistic energy policies. Ed Miliband passionately defends the political case for net zero, emphasizing its links to security and job creation. Emma Pinchbeck shares her insights on corporate decarbonization, parenting, and the importance of equitable international action. Together, they explore the complex challenges and opportunities in achieving a sustainable future.

30 snips
Nov 9, 2025 • 48min
Prof. Dieter Helm: The madness of our climate policy
Prof. Sir Dieter Helm, a leading economic policy expert from the University of Oxford, critiques the current climate strategy as a 'self-delusion.' He argues that decades of COP efforts have failed, revealing how green policies may actually harm the West while benefiting China. Helm highlights the heavy reliance on fossil fuels and points out the unrealistic nature of targets like Net Zero 2050. He calls for a shift in focus towards effective, cost-conscious decarbonization and warns against misleading voters about the true costs of climate policies.

20 snips
Apr 14, 2024 • 1h 14min
69. The brutal truth about net zero and how to vanquish climate populists, with Dieter Helm
Britain's leading energy economist, Dieter Helm, discusses the challenges of achieving net zero emissions and the global energy transition. He emphasizes the importance of realistic perspectives in climate action and the need for effective investments. The conversation delves into the complexities of climate policy, global efforts for addressing climate change, and the significance of individual actions in reducing carbon footprints.

16 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 32min
The Real Reason UK Energy Prices Are Skyrocketing
Dieter Helm, a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford and a leading thinker on sustainability and energy economics, tackles the pressing issue of skyrocketing UK energy prices. He delves into the disconnect between political ideology and economic reality in energy policy. Helm explores the complexities of the UK's net zero goals and how they contribute to rising electricity costs. He calls for a pragmatic approach to energy sustainability, emphasizing the urgent need for government action to mitigate consumer burdens while transitioning to renewable sources.

11 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 57min
Is free trade a moral good?
Anne McElvoy, an executive editor at Politico, joins a panel that includes Ash Sarkar, a journalist from Navara Media, and Mariana Mazzucato, an economist from UCL. They dive into the moral implications of free trade amidst global economic tensions. Topics include the ethical dilemmas of tariffs set by Trump, the adverse impact on American workers, and wealth inequality. The discussion highlights the chasm between economic metrics and everyday realities, questioning how trade policies can be both a source of poverty alleviation and a mechanism of exploitation.

5 snips
Apr 1, 2026 • 38min
Why are UK energy costs so high? And how to bring them down
Sir Dieter Helm, Oxford professor and longtime energy adviser, reflects on why UK bills are so high. He links post-privatisation pricing, deindustrialisation and loss of nuclear to rising costs. He discusses the security risks from declining North Sea gas, the hidden system costs of intermittent renewables, and realistic trade-offs between cheap, green and secure energy.
Oct 9, 2020 • 16min
Carbon pricing and carbon taxes - an essential part of a net zero strategy
Dieter Helm, Professor of Economic Policy at Oxford and an authority on energy, climate and infrastructure, argues carbon pricing is essential for net zero. He explains why a carbon tax outperforms trading schemes. Talks cover border adjustments, hidden subsidies, distributional compensation, and a practical rollout that unifies prices across sectors.

Dec 7, 2023 • 58min
Something’s Got to Give
Leading economists Dieter Helm and Diane Coyle discuss building sustainability into our lives. They critique GDP as a measure of well-being, propose modified versions of universal basic income, and stress the importance of accurate economic data. They explore local vs international optimism, the state of the UK economy, and the politics of English devolution. They also mention Dieter Helm's free book on building the sustainable economy.

Apr 30, 2026 • 26min
Oil hits new highs - how bad will it get?
Michael McEwan, head of content at Bunkered, on Saudi pulls back from big sports bets. Nikhil Nanamdar, BBC reporter, on India’s surge in digital payment scams and central bank responses. Dieter Helm, Oxford economic policy professor, on energy market forces and medium-term supply. John Kilduff, New York oil trader, on crude volatility and geopolitical risk. The conversation covers oil spikes, supply fears, scam trends and sports divestment.

Aug 15, 2024 • 43min
Keeping the lights on
In this conversation, Professor Dieter Helm, a prominent energy policy expert from New College, Oxford, delves into the profound complexities of global energy consumption and its implications for achieving net zero emissions. He discusses the historical ties between energy use and economic growth, the growing demands of developing nations, and the pressing need for technological advancements. Helm also addresses public perceptions regarding renewable energy costs and the often-overlooked role of nuclear power in the transition to sustainability.


