Stewart is one of 15 climbers currently standing on top of the Fusina plant in Venice. The group have unfurled banners which read: ‘G8: Take Climate Leadership' and ‘Energy revolution = green jobs'.
Three other groups of Greenpeace activists have descended on other coal plants in Italy including Brindisi in Southern Italy, Porto Tolle, Northern Italy and Savona, Vado Ligure near Genoa.
‘Politicians talk but leaders act' said UK activist Ben Stewart from the top of the 160m high chimney.
‘There is no more time to waste. The G8 leaders must stop putting the interests of big coal and other climate polluting industries ahead of the planet and take strong, decisive leadership on climate change.'
Stewart is one of the Kingsnorth Six climate activists who were acquitted of criminal damage after painting the chimney there.
Leaders from the G8 have arrived at the site today.
Greenpeace's head of media in G8 protest
Greenpeace's head of media Ben Stewart has climbed the chimney of a coal plant in Venice to demand the G8 leaders act on climate change.
