Switzerland

is the last European country that has not yet ratified the Protocol, the main reason being its long process of bottom-up democratic control. This involved wide stakeholder consultation, before a bill was presented to Parliament. In both Swiss chambers, it is the Environment Committees that first have to approve ratification, before the bill is put before MPs to vote. The 1st chamber (federal representatives) passed the bill unanimously on 12th December 2002 (source). The 2nd (national) chamber went on to approve ratification on 2nd June 2003 (news). Formal ratification by Switzerland by means of submitting the relevant documents to the United Nations can now take place very soon.