<p>Gas to liquids (GTL) is the process of converting natural gas into synthetic fuel, which can be refined into various fuels and hydrocarbon-based products. This study investigates the impact of CO₂ capture on the environmental and economic performance of the GTL process, considering its high energy demands and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, we explore the effective integration of CO₂ within a GTL process employing a 15 wt% Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The key process units analyzed include syngas production, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, CO₂ capture, and hydrogen separation. Six scenarios were evaluated: one without a CO₂ capture unit and five with the CO₂ capture unit placed at different locations within the GTL process. The analysis focuses on optimizing these scenarios to identify the best configuration.Results from the techno-economic-environmental analysis indicate that the scenario excluding the CO₂ capture unit achieved the lowest CO₂ emissions, highest carbon and thermal efficiencies, and greatest economic viability. This outcome underscores that, in this context, the primary function of CO₂ capture is to adjust the H₂/CO molar ratio for the Fischer-Tropsch reactor rather than to reduce CO₂ emissions. Thus, while CO₂ capture can alter the stoichiometry, it can lead to increased emissions in terms of overall plant performance. Furthermore, if CO₂ capture is deemed necessary, the optimal configuration is to position the capture unit after syngas production, resulting in a recovery of approximately 71% of CO₂. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the costs of implementing and operating CO₂ capture systems may outweigh their economic benefits, further complicating efforts to reduce emissions. This data calls for reconsideration of the environmental analysis aspect in the manuscript’s title, given that the analysis is driven more by stoichiometric concerns than by environmental objectives.</p>