LONDON - U.S.-based liquidity provider Knight Capital Group has opened an emissions trading desk, with Daniel G. Braun appointed head of carbon trading, the company said on Tuesday.

The company plans to hire additional emissions traders in London in 2010, a spokeswoman told Reuters.

Knight Capital will focus on trading EU Allowances and U.N.-backed certified emissions reductions futures and options, Braun said.

I anticipate our client base will include compliance buyers, Braun said.

Prior to joining Knight, Braun was an advisor on carbon credit development and trading and has a background in energy trading. (Reporting by Nina Chestney; Editing by Keiron Henderson)