Who We Are
Emerger Strategies is a sustainability consulting firm dedicated to simplifying sustainable business practices and driving positive change. Since 2016, we’ve partnered with small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and industry associations to help them understand, implement, and benefit from sustainability.
We bridge the gap between environmental responsibility and profitability by providing clear, actionable strategies that reduce environmental impact and aligns each client’s sustainability goals with measurable outcomes that support their unique business objectives.
Our vision is a socially just, economically inclusive, and environmentally restorative planet for the benefit of future generations.
Our Mission: To measure and improve your sustainability performance, all while boosting profits.
Our Values: Honesty. Integrity. Innovation. Quality. Compassion. Love.
Inspired by nature and his love for fly fishing, Emerger Strategies was founded in 2016 by Rick Crawford to protect the wild places and fish that he loves. In fly fishing, an “emerger” is a term used to describe a specific stage in the life cycle of aquatic insects, particularly mayflies, caddisflies, and midges, as they transform from water-dwelling nymphs into winged adults. During this stage, the insects rise toward the water’s surface, struggling to break free from their exoskeletons and emerge into their adult form.
Read Our Story, and Contact us to start your sustainability journey!
What We Do
At Emerger Strategies, we partner with brands who sell to big box retailers (Walmart, Target, REI, etc.), industry associations, and fishing & outdoor brands to ensure they are in compliance with regulations, meeting the demands of their customers, and making the business case for sustainability. We provide world-class sustainability consulting services that help our clients integrate environmental and social responsibility into their core operations, products, and packaging, driving long-term growth and resilience. Our services include:
- Retailer Sustainability Compliance: Responding to frameworks like CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), THESIS (The Sustainability Insight System), and Project Gigaton can feel overwhelming. At Emerger Strategies, we specialize in guiding companies through these complex reporting processes.
- Sustainability Toolkits + Education for Trade Associations: Understanding the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and the business case for sustainability is tough. We create custom Sustainability Toolkits and sustainability-focused webinars for trade associations that align with your industry needs and adds tremendous value for your members.
- Sustainability Assessments, Planning, & Reporting: We guide our clients through completing Ecovadis, B Impact Assessment, and others. We create tailored sustainability plans that align with your business goals and industry needs. We create sustainability reports that credibly communicate your sustainability journey.
GHG Emissions Management: We help businesses measure, set science-based targets, and reduce their scopes 1, 2 , and 3 greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint), supporting climate goals through practical, data-driven solutions.
Waste Management: We support our clients in conducting waste audits, achieving zero waste operations, and sourcing more sustainable packaging solutions.
Sustainability Certifications: We help our clients obtain certifications, such as Climate Neutral Certified, TRUE Zero Waste, and other that enhance credibility and customer trust.
By combining industry expertise with a passion for conservation, Emerger Strategies is committed to simplifying sustainability for every business, making it achievable, profitable, and impactful. Learn more about our Sustainability Consulting Services.
Why Choose Us?
In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, businesses face increasing pressure from stakeholders—whether customers, investors, or regulatory bodies—to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. The good news is that sustainability is good for people, the planet, and profits. But for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) trying to navigate this complex space, the path can be unclear. That’s where Emerger Strategies comes in, and why your company should consider working with us:
We Make the Business Case for Sustainability: We have a proven track record of helping our clients reduce costs, enhance customer loyalty, improve reputation, and mitigate risks. Emerger Strategies doesn’t just help you adopt sustainable practices; we show you how these changes benefit your bottom line.
- We Save You Time & Money: Emerger Strategies serves as your outsourced sustainability team, eliminating the need for expensive overhead. We provide the expertise, insights, and hands-on support you need, saving you time and money while delivering measurable results.
- A Proven Track Record: Emerger Strategies has worked with industry leaders like Blue Sky, Z-Man Fishing Products and RepYourWater, helping them reduce emissions, measure sustainability performance, and enhance their reputations. Our results speak for themselves: cost savings, improved customer loyalty, and stronger positioning in the marketplace. Read our Case Studies for more information.
- We Simplify Sustainability: Sustainability can feel overwhelming. Terms like “GHG emissions accounting,” “ESG reporting,” and “Scope 1 and 2 emissions” often come with steep learning curves. From day one, we focus on making sustainability understandable and actionable for your team.
Emerger Strategies is more than a consulting firm; we’re your partner in sustainability. Whether you’re motivated by compliance, reputation, or simply a desire to protect the planet, we’ll help you achieve your goals while improving your bottom line.
Let us help you turn sustainability from a challenge into a competitive advantage. Contact us today to get started!
Clients & Testimonials
As Seen In
2023: Rick Crawford, is named in the “50 Most Influential People” by Charleston Business Magazine.
2022: Rick Crawford is named “one of the fifteen people, places, and ideas forging the South of tomorrow” by Garden & Gun Magazine in the April/May 2022 fifteenth anniversary issue.
Additionally, Emerger Strategies was featured in the 2021 Patagonia film DROP, which follows a single drop of water from its starting point atop the Continental Divide to its final destination in the Pacific Ocean:
