(Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase & Co ( JPM ) said its asset management unit has left a flagship industry climate effort, a blow to the group that had paused operations in January in an effort to halt defections amid political pressure from U.S. Republicans.

A statement sent by a representative of the unit known as JPMAM noted the pause by the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative in January, which took place "in the midst of developments in the regulatory environment and client expectations.  In light of that, JPMAM has decided to exit."

The company did not immediately comment further. Nor did organizers of the initiative. It has been under pressure from Republicans, many from energy-producing states, who say fund firms colluded to cut emissions. Companies that have faced such accusations have strongly denied wrongdoing.

Launched in December 2020, the group known as NZAM aimed to align the global fund management industry with climate goals. At the start of the year, it counted more than 325 signatories managing more than $57.5 trillion in assets.

But BlackRock, the world's biggest asset manager, quit NZAM in January, leading to the suspension of efforts. JPMorgan ( JPM ) itself left a parallel effort, the Net Zero Banking Alliance, the same month.

(Reporting by Ross Kerber; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Nick Zieminski)