Care for Planet: Icon Group Science-Based Targets Affirmed

Icon Writers / 11 Feb, 2025

Icon Group’s commitment to sustainability has reached a significant milestone, with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) officially validating the group’s near-term emissions reduction targets.

These targets align with a 1.5°C pathway, reinforcing Icon’s dedication to caring not only for patients and people, but also the planet.

The announcement comes ahead of the release of Icon’s interim Sustainability Report, which outlines the Group’s progress across a wide range of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.

Recognising the global urgency to halve emissions by 2030, Icon committed to setting near-term company-wide emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science through the SBTi.

The now-validated near-term targets are as follows:

  • APOG Topco Pty Ltd commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 42% by FY2030, from a FY2023 baseline
  • APOG Topco Pty Ltd also commits that 73% of its suppliers by emissions—covering purchased goods and services—will have science-based targets in place by FY2028.

These targets are publicly available on the SBTi’s target dashboard.

Achieving the Targets

To meet its science-based goals, Icon Group will take action across its operations, including:

Transitioning to renewable electricity where possible:

  • Electrifying diesel and petrol vehicle fleets
  • Phasing out natural gas-consuming equipment
  • Exploring rooftop solar PV installations at suitable sites and
  • Procuring Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to support the shift to clean energy.

For its scope 3 supply chain emissions target, Icon will actively engage suppliers that account for 73% of emissions related to purchased goods and services, encouraging them to adopt validated science-based targets by 2028.

This supplier engagement represents 68% of Icon Group’s total scope 3 emissions.

Further information is available via Sustainability — Icon Group.

What are Science-Based Targets?

A Science-Based Target (SBT) is an emissions reduction goal that aligns with the level of decarbonisation required to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The importance of SBTs was underscored at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which revealed that current global commitments fall short of what is needed.

According to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings—described by the UN as a “code red for humanity”—there is still a pathway to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C, but time is critically short.

About the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

The SBTi is a global body enabling businesses and financial institutions to take ambitious climate action. It develops standards, tools, and guidance that help organisations align their emissions reductions with scientific consensus and the Paris Agreement.

A registered charity, the SBTi is backed by partners including CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the We Mean Business Coalition, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

View all News

Search

Contact us