• Among all petitions received in 2024, environment remains citizens’ top concern

• MEPs call for stronger school systems amid serious teacher shortages across the EU

• Closer cooperation between EU institutions, national and local authorities needed to address citizens’ concerns

According to the Petitions Committee report for 2024, environment was the top concern by petitioners for the third year, followed by fundamental rights.

On Thursday, Parliament adopted the 2024 annual report of the Committee on Petitions, with 535 votes in favour, 24 against and 55 abstentions. MEPs urge the European Commission and Member States to meet citizens’ expectations on climate protection and to ensure the proper enforcement of EU environmental legislation.

For the third consecutive year, environmental issues were the most frequently raised by petitioners (20.1% of all petitions), followed by personal matters (13.2%, often linked to a secondary theme), fundamental rights (11.4%), the internal market (11.2%) and justice (9.1%).

Environmental concerns

Petitioners’ environmental concerns dominated committee work in 2024. Issues raised included wolf protection status and the impact of EU deforestation rules, which led to a fact-finding mission in Austria in April 2025. Other concerns covered, among others, pesticide toxicity, land preservation, waste treatment, alleged fossil fuel industry influence in EU decision-making and rising living costs.

Fundamental rights and internal market

MEPs expect from the Commission consistent follow-up and regular updates on petitions relating to fundamental rights and the internal market. In April 2024, they urged the Council to swiftly grant Romania and Bulgaria full Schengen membership to ease border delays for heavy goods vehicles.

Other issues dealt by the Committee included data protection, workers’ rights, reception of migrants and asylum seekers, and protection of children’s rights, including their online safety. Amid a severe EU-wide teacher shortage, MEPs urge the Commission and Member States to strengthen school systems and make the teaching profession more attractive.

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“The overwhelming endorsement of the Committee on Petitions’ 2024 Annual Report sends a clear message: we are committed to strengthening the voice of our citizens and upholding petitions as both a cornerstone of participatory democracy and a vital tool for uncovering instances of misapplication or breaches of EU law” said rapporteur Fredis Beleris (EPP, EL).

Background

The right to petition the European Parliament is guaranteed under the Treaties. In 2024, Parliament received 1518 petitions, of which 82,3% were submitted via the Petitions Web Portal. To facilitate the 2024 European elections, a parliamentary recess was observed from 26 April to 15 July.