Emerger Strategies helps fishing and outdoor brands cut costs, earn customer loyalty, and reduce risk — by measuring and improving their sustainability performance which protects what they love (nature) and secures what they’ve built.
The Stakes
You didn't get into this industry because of
scorecards.
You got into it because of early mornings on the water. Because of wild places that still exist. Because you believed you could build a business that doesn't cost the earth what it gives you.
But now Walmart, REI, and even specialty retailers are asking harder questions. Brands that can't answer — clearly, credibly, on time — risk losing shelf space. Additionally, most small business owners incorrectly assume energy, waste, & water are simply a cost of doing business, but these costs are rising year over year. That's where we come in.-
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.
Our Story
Built by an angler.
Powered by expertise.
Driven by what's at stake.
Fishing and outdoor brands care deeply about the public lands, 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 built Emerger Strategies because he loves to fish — and because he watched the wild places & fish he loves being threatened. He believed outdoor brands could become part of the solution instead of part of the problem, and that there is a real business case for doing the right thing. Ten years and $430,000+ in client savings later, that belief hasn't changed.
We don't sell sustainability. We build the business case behind it — and protect what we all love as a result.
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 inWhat We Do
What we do —
and why it matters.
Every service is built around one question: what's worth protecting?
Climate & emissions
The oceans and rivers your customers fish are warming. Measuring & reducing your emissions mitigates your contribution to ocean acidification, sea level rise, more intense & frequent hurricanes, drought, longer wildfire seasons, and Hoot Owl restrictions. The good news is that through energy conservation and renewable energy, we can reduce your emissions and your energy costs.
GHG Measurement
Scope 1–3 emissions accounting, science-based targets, and a climate action plan built to last.
Packaging & waste
Plastic pollution is everywhere & killing marine life. The good news is that making the switch to more sustainable packaging can increase customer loyalty, mitigate regualtory risks, and avoid costly fines.
EPR Readiness Sprint
We help you comply with EPR regulations and switch to packaging that degrades harmlessly back into the Earth.
Waste is a design flaw, and from a business perspective is a squandered corporate asset. The good news is that going zero waste can reduce your waste haul fees, drive innovation, and create new revenue streams.
Zero Waste
Waste audits, landfill diversion strategy, and reporting that turns waste into a corporate asset.
Retail & market access
Earn trust and stay on the shelf of retailers who share your values. Retailers of all sizes expect your brand measure your carbon footprint, make the switch to more sustainable packaging, and ensure your supply chain is ethical and responsible.
Retailer Compliance
Full support for Walmart, REI, Dick's, and CDP scorecards and audits — from gap analysis to submission.
Avoid greenwashing by turning your data into stories buyers believe, and comply with the FTC Green Guides.
Sustainability Marketing
We translate your sustainability performance into credible sales tools, reports, and brand narratives.
Certification & leadership
B Corp shouldn't feel impossible.
B Corp Readiness
Assessment, roadmap, and hands-on certification support — we guide you through every step of the BIA.
REI prefers it. 200 brands earned it in 2025. Here's how you get there.
The Climate Label
The successor to Climate Neutral Certified. We guide you through measuring Scope 1–3 emissions, setting a Climate Transition Budget, and funding qualifying reduction projects — so your brand earns the label REI's Product Impact Standards now recognize as preferred.
REI Preferred Attribute 2025Three 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.
The 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™
The 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
Outsourced 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
Not sure which is right for you? Book a free discovery call — we'll tell you honestly.
Client Results
Brands who give a damn.
Real results from real fishing and outdoor brands. Not just scorecard 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.
Working with Emerger Strategies has delivered measurable business and sustainability results for Crazy Creek. Their team helped us reduce our energy costs by 8% while simultaneously lowering our Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 26%. Beyond operational improvements, Emerger Strategies also helped us improve our REI Product Impact Standards score by over 40% compared to the previous year.
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.
The Emerger Framework
Simple. Structured.
No jargon.
From discovery call to retail-ready in a predictable four-step process.
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.
Let's Talk
Ready to protect
what you love?
No jargon. No pressure. Just a 30-minute conversation between people who give a damn — and a clear picture of where your brand stands.
Built by an angler, for brands who give a damn about this life.