Environment
ICON is committed to conducting our business in an environmentally sustainable manner.
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ICON Cares: A force for good
ICON Cares brings together all our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Inclusion and Belonging (I&B) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives under one umbrella. It is a pledge to achieve more together. As a company of approximately 41,900 people working across more than 50 countries, we have an enormous opportunity to put our expertise, experience and human kindness into action as forces for good.
At ICON, we are passionate about:
- Creating a positive impact on patients’ lives and applying our collective expertise and innovation to increase access to clinical trials across all populations and drive better patient outcomes
- Conducting business sustainably and playing a role in combating climate change
- Promoting our employees’ professional development and creating a workplace focused on Inclusion and Belonging (I&B)
- Strengthening the communities in which we live and work
- Doing the right thing
ICON Cares 2023 Report - A message from Steve Cutler, our CEO
At ICON, we focus on keeping our people, patients and planet healthy. As a world-leading clinical research organisation (CRO), our mission is to improve patients’ lives by accelerating drug development. Additionally, we strive to make a positive impact by conducting business sustainably, creating a representative and inclusive workplace and strengthening our communities.
In everything we do, we value collaboration and aim to work with our partners, customers, patients and colleagues in a comprehensive, strategic and agile manner.
I am proud of the accomplishments of our ICON Cares program from the past year, as communicated in our 2023 ICON Cares report. I am also pleased to share that ICON achieved a 70/100 EcoVadis score, an increase from 64/100 in 2022, achieving gold medal status and placing ICON in the 93rd percentile. We also achieved a B score on our CDP Climate Change response, up from a C in 2022.
The progress we have made is outlined in our 2023 ICON Cares report. We continue to build on the strong foundations we have created to foster the best environment for change in the industry, energised by ICON Cares as well as by our employees’ talents and passion.
Kind regards,
Steve Cutler
Chief Executive Officer
ESG reporting
ICON is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and a regular participant in EcoVadis and CDP assessments. ICON reports in alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Reports
Historical reports
Carbon Trust assurances
California climate disclosure in accordance with AB 1305
Our ICON Cares priorities
Through a comprehensive double materiality assessment in 2021 and a subsequent review of priorities in 2022, ICON has identified seven ESG priorities which we believe are the key focus areas for us to address in managing impacts on our business, people, the environment and our communities. In 2024, ICON will conduct a double materiality analysis in alignment with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in preparation for CSRD reporting.
ICON partners with global healthcare leaders to procure renewable power in China
Aligned with ICON's sustainability strategy, this collaboration of 12 companies will unlock approximately 225 GWh of renewable electricity annually for the research, development and manufacture of medicines.
Time World's Best Companies for Sustainable Growth 2025
In recognition of ICON's ESG efforts and commitment, Time has named us one of the World's top companies in sustainable growth.
ICON placed 57th in the list, the second highest ranked company headquartered in Ireland and the highest ranked CRO.
2024 PwC Business Post Sustainable Business Awards
ICON has been named Social & Equality Business of the Year at the 2024 PwC Business Post Sustainable Business Awards. These awards recognise leadership, innovation, investment and ingenuity in the areas of Environment, Social and Governance.
TIME Best Companies Award
ICON has been named as one of the World’s Best Companies by TIME magazine in both 2024 and 2023.
Out of the 1000 companies, ICON ranked in 107th place, making ICON once more, the top ranked CRO on the list.
The awards evaluate companies using standardised KPIs on employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability.
Frost & Sullivan Enlightened Growth Leadership Award
The Frost & Sullivan Institute presented ICON with an Enlightened Growth Leadership Award in both 2024 and 2023.
The awards identify companies that have embraced emerging technologies, generated opportunities for all, while demonstrating best practices for sustainable growth.
AmCham Global Impact Award
ICON received the 2023 Global Impact Award at the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland’s US-Ireland Business Awards.
Those shortlisted for the Global Impact Award were required to have had a positive, global or international impact on markets or society, and to demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
