She and her husband have always been environmentally conscious - they limit plastic packaging, use the dryer only on occasion, and are strict about recycling.

But Emily can't make more significant changes at her home because it's a rental that's part of a private embedded energy supply network, meaning the occupants are locked into a contract with a single energy provider.

"When I had the choice, I went with one that was more sustainable," Emily, who requested her full name not be used, told AAP.

"But with this one, I have no idea where they source their energy from, they can price it whatever they like and it was significantly more expensive."

Private embedded networks will be banned in new Victorian apartment blocks from next year while existing networks will be reformed.

In NSW, a parliamentary inquiry is underway into how private embedded networks are regulated in the state.

If Emily and her husband could afford to own their own home and the general cost of living wasn't so high, they would be making more changes like installing solar panels.

Nearly a third of Australians feel the same, with 28 per cent of more than 1300 Australians surveyed by lender Wisr saying they felt it was too expensive to make eco-friendly choices.

About 29 per cent said they had put aside their environmental concerns as they struggle to keep up with financial pressures, according to the research released on Saturday.

"A lot of the liability is put on consumers," Emily said.

"To a degree that's fair, but people are put in positions where they can't choose or can't look into other options because they're a renter.

"I can't afford a house. So it's just this cycle that people really get stuck in."

Renters often have less choice about the location and quality of their home, or what appliances they can install.

But sustainable housing advocates say renters can save money, and the environment, by doing small things like testing and sealing any drafts in their house.

"It can be a big energy saver," Rob McLeod from rental sustainability organisation Renew told AAP.

"We all have a responsibility to live sustainably, but there is also a real responsibility on our governments and our industries to do the right thing as well.

"If you're having trouble, if you're worried about your bills, get active. Talk to your politicians, write to the right people and take the sort of action that will actually fix our system."

Sustainability expert Dr Phillipa Watson agreed, saying all levels of governments need to be involved to make it easier for people - and renters in particular - to live more sustainably.

But even minor day-to-day changes like buying the item with less packaging can make a difference.

"Take heart that what looks like even small changes in our lives undertaken repeatedly can nudge our supply chains in the right direction," Dr Watson told AAP.

"Most companies monitor their production and sales of products carefully, so we can definitely make a difference when we send a message through purchasing and living behaviours."

OTHER SUSTAINABILITY FINDINGS:

* 21.79 per cent of people want to spend more on renewable energy to combat rising energy costs

* 14.13 per cent consider climate change a factor when choosing the location of their home

* 6.6 per cent of people have purchased or are saving to purchase an electric vehicle

Source: Wisr research

Australian Associated Press