The expansion of renewable energies, climate-neutral heat supply and the electrification of transport require infrastructure investments running into the billions at municipal level. However, a lack of capital and scarce human resources are slowing down the energy transition. The fulfilment of short-term mandatory tasks is increasingly crowding out long-term investments. The FiFo municipal survey NRW.BANK.Fokus Kommunen 2025 sheds light on the financial situation and investment backlogs, as well as the area of climate protection – with a particular focus on the implementation of the energy transition by North Rhine-Westphalian municipalities and their energy suppliers.