An expert in law, economic development, and the performance of legal institutions, Thomas Heller's work has focused on policy effectiveness, international climate control, global energy use, green growth, and the interaction of government and nongovernmental organizations in establishing legal structures in the developing world.

Since 1991, Heller has been increasingly engaged in research and applied policy studies in energy and climate, with a principal concern with developments in China, India, Mexico, Brazil and other leading emerging markets.

[2] The work of the IPCC (including the contributions of many scientists) was recognised by the joint award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

[4] Heller also served as a core team member directing Project Catalyst—an analysis-based project in support of the Copenhagen Climate Process[5]—and currently serves as vice-chair of the governing board of the Global Green Growth Institute, with headquarters in Seoul, Korea.

There he served as the Lewis Talbot and Nadine Hearn Shelton Professor of International Legal Studies (now emeritus) and was also a senior fellow at the Stanford Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and at the Woods Institute for the Environment.