EU suspends carbon markets after security breaches

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission said it was immediately suspending most transactions in its Emissions Trading Scheme on Wednesday, following a series of security breaches around the European Union.

Only the allocation and surrender of carbon allowances would be allowed, it said. The suspension will run at least until January 26.

The move follows a decision by five countries to shut their national registries amid reports that carbon permits had vanished from the Czech carbon registry.

(Reporting by Pete Harrison)