Sustainable packaging company Tetra Pak and Global Footprint Network surveyed 1,000 US consumers who make decisions about groceries and found 86 percent of respondents said that if they knew that use of renewable packaging contributed to reduced carbon emissions and helped slow climate change, it would impact their choice of packaging.

This was particularly the case with women: 90 percent of women would choose renewable packaging if they knew it would help cut carbon emissions, versus 77 percent of men, Tetra Pak says.

However, only 41 percent of respondents report being very aware of the issue of resource constraints.

The survey also explored specific actions respondents would be willing to do to conserve natural resources, such as pay more for water and restrict use, or search for clean, renewable energy alternatives. Seeking out food or beverages that came in renewable packaging was among the top three actions that respondents said they would be willing to take.

In the survey, consumers said they are ready to be held as accountable as government and industry and support the need to do more — from changing their own behaviors to recognizing the need for companies to consider all facets of the lifecycle of products and packaging. Overwhelmingly, respondents (81 percent) said that no one group (individuals, industry, government) is responsible for addressing natural resource constraint, and a majority of respondents believe that neither individuals, industry, nor government are doing enough.

In a May blog post, Tetra Pak CEO Brian Kennell says food and beverage producers can decrease the effects of climate change on their business through a three-pronged approach.