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Latest in a string of U.S. leavers from the group

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Republican politicians cite anti-trust concerns

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CA100+ says members act independently

(Adds more detail and background throughout)

By Iain Withers and Simon Jessop

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs' ( GS ) fund

division is to leave investor engagement group Climate Action

100+, joining other financial services companies which have

pulled out amid a political backlash in the United States.

U.S. members of global climate-focused coalitions have come

under pressure as some Republican lawmakers have criticised them

for potentially breaching antitrust rules by pushing companies

to cut climate-damaging emissions.

At the end of July, the Republican leader of a U.S.

congressional committee wrote to demand more than 130 investors

explain their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

A Goldman Sachs ( GS ) spokesperson said the fund division would

leave the group and highlighted its ability to engage with

companies on its own account.

"We've made investments in our ability to meet the

sustainable investing needs of our clients and remain committed

to leveraging our global capabilities," the spokesperson said.

Others investment companies to leave in the past couple of

weeks include Aristotle Credit and Aristotle Pacific Capital on

July 31, TCW Group on Aug. 1, Vert Asset Management, Mellon

Investment Corp and Water Asset Management on Aug. 2.

Some big players have also left this year, including

Invesco, JPMorgan's fund division and State Street Global

Advisors.

CA100+ had no immediate comment on Goldman's decision.

In a statement earlier this week, a CA100+ spokesman said

the way CA100+ operates was "well described" on its website and

in documents produced for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.

"These recent letters to Climate Action 100+ investors are

another attempt to deter investors from considering and acting

on climate risks and opportunities. Investors are independent

fiduciaries, responsible for their investment and voting

decisions," he said.