ICON Cares: A force for good
ICON Cares expresses our passion for helping others and our pledge to achieve more together. With our large global workforce, we see this as an immense opportunity to use our knowledge, experience and kindness towards others 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 thereby drive better patient outcomes
- Conducting business sustainably and playing a role in combating climate change
- Promoting our employees’ professional development and creating a workplace where all employees feel a sense of belonging and can contribute to our mission
- Strengthening the communities in which we live and work
- Doing the right thing
Our ICON Cares goals
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 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2024, our near-term, long-term and net-zero science-based targets (SBTs) were validated by the SBTi based on our submission. We report on our targets and progress towards them for the first time in our 2024 ICON Cares report.
Our ICON Cares priorities
ICON Cares strives to drive meaningful change for our global workforce, the communities where we operate, the environment and the wider society.
ICON previously identified seven key ESG priorities which are focus areas for us in managing impacts on our business, people, the environment and communities. In 2024, the Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi) verified ICON’s near-term, long-term and net-zero targets. This milestone will drive ICON’s climate strategy in the years to come.
TIME World's Best Companies in Sustainable Growth 2026
For the second year in a row, ICON has been named to this prestigious ESG list.
Based on a global independent study by Statista, the list identifies companies leading their industries (ICON are the only global CRO on the ranking) by demonstrating both outstanding financial and environmental performance.
Forbes World's Top Companies for Women 2025
ICON have been included in Forbes' select list of only 400 global companies.
Based on a survey of approximately 120,000 women in more than 36 countries, positions on the list were awarded to companies that have been identified as top performers in promoting gender equality and supporting women in the workplace.
TIME/ Statista World's Best Companies Award 2025
ICON has been named as one of the World’s Best Companies by TIME/ Statista for the 3rd year in a row.
The recipients are ranked based on their performance on three key metrics - employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability transparency. This year ICON also ranked in the Top 10 Irish-based organisations.
ICON named one of TIME World's Most Sustainable Companies 2025
This list ranks the world’s 500 most sustainable companies based on their public commitment to and progress toward sustainability targets.
ICON was one of nine Irish-based companies to make this global list, recognising the impact our ICON Cares programme is making.
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 in 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.
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.
