José-Manuel Leal is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Ottawa. His research interest includes the study of the contribution from the existing global economic system to the current environmental crisis. His current research involves the study of Transnational Climate Change Governance, and the influence of foreign actors in local environmental politics, with a focus in Latin American cities. He also holds a Master in International Economic Relations and Cooperation, as well as an Honor’s Bachelor in International Business. José Manuel has collaborated in research projects with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) from the United Nations and the Latin American Union of Municipalities (UIM). His professional experience also includes the design and coordination of environmental cooperation projects and academic collaborations developed during his time at the Foreign Affairs Office from the State of Jalisco, Mexico, the University of Guadalajara, and in FIDALE, a Mexican-Spanish NGO. You can follow him on Twitter: @JoseManuelLeal.