Opponents of the expansion of Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport, one of the busiest airports in Europe, have criticized the project as conflicting with France’s environmental commitments. On Monday, September 14, demonstrators gathered in front of the ADP (Aéroports de Paris) headquarters to demand the cancellation of the expansion, which is set to begin next year. The proposed changes aim to increase the number of flights by nearly 20% by 2035. Originally, ADP had planned to construct a new terminal at Roissy, but this idea was abandoned four years ago due to environmental concerns. The current plan involves renovating existing infrastructure rather than building new facilities, but opponents argue that this still undermines environmental goals. Sacha Ruello-Jossic, from the environmental group Rester sur Terre, highlighted that the expansion would result in more flights than those at Marseille airport, which is the fourth largest in France. ADP claims the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at Roissy by 23% by 2035. However, the NGO Transport and Environment challenged this in a report released on Monday, arguing that the expansion would actually lead to a 28% increase in emissions compared to a scenario without the project. Jérôme Boucher, an expert with the organization, said the plan is inconsistent with the government’s broader goal of decarbonizing the aviation industry. Earlier this year, the High Council for Climate, an independent advisory body, urged a temporary halt on all airport expansion projects in France. This comes amid growing concerns about the environmental impact of increased air traffic. About 75 kilometers from Roissy, the nearby city of Beauvais also plans to expand its airport to accommodate more flights. These developments have drawn criticism from local officials, with 250 elected representatives from affected areas previously calling for the projects to be abandoned due to concerns over public health and climate change. The debate over the expansion of Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport highlights the tension between economic growth and environmental sustainability. As France works to meet its climate targets, the government faces pressure to balance the needs of the aviation industry with the imperative to reduce carbon emissions. The outcome of this conflict will likely have implications for future infrastructure decisions in the region and beyond.