Our Story
Built by an angler.
Powered by expertise.
Driven by what's at stake.
Fishing and outdoor brands care deeply about the rivers, flats, and fisheries their businesses depend on. That's the easy part. The hard part is navigating the growing complexity of retailer sustainability requirements, emissions accounting, EPR regulations, and the science-based targets that major retailers are now demanding.
Rick Crawford founded Emerger Strategies in 2016 after seeing a clear gap: outdoor brands with real conservation values but no practical roadmap for turning those values into the compliance infrastructure that retailers require. Most couldn't afford a full-time sustainability team. Many didn't know where to start.
We don't sell sustainability. We build the business case behind it — and execute it for you.
Since then, Emerger has helped 50+ fishing and outdoor brands protect shelf space, reduce operating costs, achieve carbon neutrality, and build sustainability programs that hold up under scrutiny. From fly fishing boutiques to national manufacturers, our clients share one thing: they want sustainability to work for their business — not against it.
When Rick isn't helping brands navigate retailer compliance, you'll find him on the water. That's not incidental to the work — it's the reason for it.
As featured inThe Stakes
Sustainability is now
a revenue issue.
Walmart, REI, Target, and specialty retailers are raising the compliance bar every year. For brands that can't keep up, the consequences are concrete — and costly.
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Lost or delayed purchase orders
Retailers are pulling and delaying orders from brands that can't provide defensible sustainability data.
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Reduced shelf space and scoring penalties
Product scoring systems at major retailers now factor in sustainability performance — directly.
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Growing regulatory exposure
EPR packaging laws, PFAS restrictions, and FTC Green Guides are creating new legal and financial risk.
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Rising costs squeezing margins
Energy, materials, and waste costs are climbing. Brands that measure first can reduce them. Most don't measure.
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A full-time hire you can't justify yet
A qualified in-house sustainability director runs $120K+ per year — before tools, data, and support.
Retailer Compliance Pressure Index
Current pressure level by compliance category
Based on current Walmart, REI, and specialty retailer requirements. Pressure is increasing annually across all categories.
The Emerger Framework
A clear path to a
compliance-ready brand.
We don't sell sustainability. We build the business case behind it — and execute it for you. Intentional progress, not perfection.
01
Measure
Understand your emissions, packaging footprint, and retailer and regulatory risk. You can't manage what you haven't measured.
- GHG inventory — Scopes 1, 2 & 3
- Packaging & materials audit
- Retailer scorecard gap analysis
- Regulatory risk assessment
02
Reduce
Cut costs, waste, materials, and emissions. Intentional reduction protects margin and builds a story your retailers and customers can trust.
- Energy & waste reduction plans
- Sustainable packaging options
- Supply chain improvements
- Science-based targets set
03
Comply
Meet retailer scorecards, EPR packaging laws, PFAS regulations, climate requirements, and FTC Green Guides — with confidence, not guesswork.
- Retailer scorecard completion
- EPR & PFAS compliance docs
- CDP & THESIS reporting
- FTC Green Guides alignment
04
Profit
Protect your margins. Avoid fines. Secure shelf space. Hedge rising input costs. Strengthen brand value with customers who care — and buy accordingly.
- Protected shelf space & POs
- Reduced operating costs
- Stronger retailer relationships
- Brand value that compounds
We focus on intentional progress, not perfection. We meet you where you are.
Ready to start measuring?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call — no pitch deck, no pressure.Three Paths Forward
Choose the level of support
that fits where you are.
Whether you need to respond to an urgent retailer request, build a full compliance infrastructure, or hand off sustainability entirely — we have a solution built for your situation.
01
30-Day SprintThe Compliance-Ready Brand Blueprint™
Delivered in 30 days
A retailer knocked. You need answers fast. This sprint identifies your compliance gaps, builds your documentation, and positions you to respond with confidence — not guesswork.
- Compliance-Ready Risk Scan™
- Retailer Compliance Alignment™
- Sustainability Proof Engine™
- Profit-Driven Sustainability Roadmap™
- Retailer-Ready Brand Positioning™
You meet the requirement, understand your gaps, and leave with a clear path forward.
02
120-Day SystemThe Retailer Sustainability Compliance System™
Completed in 90–120 days
A done-for-you compliance infrastructure — GHG inventory, packaging documentation, scorecard completion, and a defensible sustainability story — built to exceed retailer expectations without adding headcount.
- Full GHG inventory — Scopes 1, 2 & 3
- Packaging & materials compliance documentation
- Defensible sustainability claims & messaging
- Completed retailer scorecards (CDP, THESIS, Gigaton)
- Ongoing compliance roadmap & cost reduction plan
You exceed retailer sustainability expectations — with documentation to prove it.
03
Most ComprehensiveOutsourced Sustainability Team™
Ongoing — 12-month partnership
Your complete sustainability department — assessments, emissions, reporting, compliance, and supply chain — without the overhead of hiring in-house.
- Full sustainability leadership & strategy
- Retailer reporting & compliance management
- Scope 1–3 GHG accounting & annual reporting
- Annual Sustainability Report production
- Supply chain, packaging & regulatory guidance
- Monthly executive advisory sessions
Confidence, clarity, and retailer readiness at a fraction of the cost of building this internally.
Not sure which is right for you? Book a free discovery call — we'll tell you honestly.
Client Results
Brands that took sustainability
seriously — and won.
Real results from real fishing and outdoor brands. Not just compliance checkboxes — cost savings, shelf space protected, and customer loyalty earned.
"Rick helped steer us towards installing solar at our headquarters, which has saved us about $80,000 per year on our power bill while also reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. I would recommend Emerger Strategies to any business who wants guidance on how to make the business case for sustainability."
Emerger Strategies has been vital in helping us exceed our sustainability goals. With their comprehensive approach, we have been able to take our reporting to the next level — responding to and improving our scorecards for the annual CDP, THESIS, and Project Gigaton reporting cycles.
Emerger Strategies has been an incredible partner for Crazy Creek. They've helped us comply with our REI Product Impact Standards and OIA's Climate Action Corp requirements by measuring GHG emissions, setting science-based targets, and creating a Climate Action Plan.
We have loved working with Emerger Strategies over the years to help us measure and improve our sustainability performance, including helping us effectively communicate the difference we are making, which has significantly increased our customer loyalty.