In today’s rapidly evolving market, fishing and outdoor brands face increasing pressure to improve their sustainability performance—from consumers, retailers, regulators, investors, and even their own employees. But while sustainability is often seen as an altruistic imperative, it’s just as important to understand it as a strategic business advantage.
At Emerger Strategies, we believe the most resilient brands are those that align environmental & social responsibility with business growth. Here’s why sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential for the long-term success of fishing and outdoor brands.
1. Sustainability Drives Revenue Growth
Consumer preferences are shifting fast. According to a 2023 NielsenIQ report, 73% of global consumers say they would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact. In the fishing and outdoor industries, where people are deeply connected to nature, that number is likely even higher.
By aligning your brand with environmental values—like protecting fisheries, preserving wild places, and reducing your carbon footprint—you build trust, loyalty, and brand differentiation. Whether you’re a fly rod manufacturer or an apparel company, clear sustainability messaging resonates deeply with today’s conscious consumer and can drive sales growth.
“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 led to helping us significantly increase our customer loyalty!” – Corinne & Garrison Doctor, Co-Owners, RepYourWater
2. Sustainability Opens Retail Doors
If you sell, or want to sell, to retailers like REI, Bass Pro Shops, or Walmart, sustainability compliance is quickly becoming table stakes. Many large retailers now require suppliers to complete sustainability assessments like THESIS, EcoVadis, Higg, or Walmart’s Project Gigaton.
Fishing and outdoor brands that understand their Scopes 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, use more sustainable materials, or reduce packaging waste gain a competitive edge in B2B sales. Sustainability becomes a key differentiator in your pitch, making your products more attractive to retail buyers who have their own ESG goals to meet.
“Emerger Strategies has been vital in helping us exceed our sustainability goals, and I highly recommend them to any company who needs help with retailer sustainability compliance! With Emerger Strategies’ comprehensive approach to sustainability, we have been able to take our reporting to the next level by employing their advanced knowledge, in addition to responding to and improving our scorecards for the annual CDP, THESIS and Project Gigaton reporting cycles.” – Carrie Orr, Sr. Director Production & Compliance at Blue Sky
3. Sustainability Reduces Costs and Risk
Sustainability isn’t just about growth—it’s also about efficiency and resilience.
- Energy-efficient operations lower utility bills.
- Sustainable packaging reduces shipping costs and waste fees, as well as smaller EPR for packaging fees.
- Proactive compliance with evolving regulations reduces legal and reputational risks.
Brands that measure and manage their sustainability performance are better positioned to anticipate and adapt to risk, whether it’s from climate change, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, or changing government policies.
Check out our Z-Man Fishing Products Case Study to see how we saved them $80,000 per year in energy costs through renewable energy.
4. Sustainability Attracts and Retains Talent
Millennials and Gen Z now make up the majority of the workforce—and they want to work for companies that reflect their values. By integrating sustainability into your business strategy, you boost employee morale, attract top talent, and reduce turnover.
For fishing and outdoor brands built around a passion for the natural world, sustainability becomes a powerful cultural and recruiting tool.
5. Sustainability Strengthens Your Brand Reputation
From social media to trade shows, sustainability is one of the most authentic and engaging ways to tell your story. Sharing your environmental and social initiatives builds emotional connection, earns media attention, and distinguishes your brand from the competition.
Whether you’re restoring habitat, eliminating plastic from your packaging, or offsetting carbon emissions, these actions make your brand more respected, talked about, and shared.
Check out our RepYourWater Case Study to see how we helped them transparently tell their sustainability story resulting in increased customer loyalty!
The Bottom Line
Sustainability isn’t a cost—it’s an investment in your brand’s future growth, resilience, and impact. Fishing and outdoor companies that take action today will be better positioned to lead tomorrow’s market.
At Emerger Strategies, we help brands simplify sustainability and turn it into a business advantage. From measuring emissions to responding to retailer assessments, we support you every step of the way—so you can focus on what you do best: making great gear and protecting the places we all love.
“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. This has set us up with a clear path to path to meet both our sustainability goals and GHG reduction targets.” – Karson Bagby, Co-Owner, Crazy Creek Products
Contact Us Today to Start Making the Business Case for Sustainability
