ITU‐T's Technical Reports and Specifications 557 Table 2 – Steps under each of the elements of the formulation of National Adaptation Plans (NAP) which may be undertaken as appropriate Element A ‐ Lay the groundwork and address gaps 1. Initiating and launching of the NAP process 2. Stocktaking: identifying available information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation and assessing gaps and needs of the enabling environment for the NAP process 3. Addressing capacity gaps and weaknesses in undertaking the NAP process 4. Comprehensively and iteratively assessing development needs and climate vulnerabilities Element B ‐ Preparatory elements 1. Analyzing current climate and future climate change scenarios 2. Assessing climate vulnerabilities and identifying adaptation options at the sector, subnational, national and other appropriate levels 3. Reviewing and appraising adaptation options 4. Compiling and communicating national adaptation plans 5. Integrating climate change adaptation into national and subnational development and sectorial planning Element C ‐ Implementation strategies 1. Prioritizing climate change adaptation in national planning 2. Developing a (long‐term) national adaptation implementation strategy 3. Enhancing capacity for planning and implementation of adaptation 4. Promoting coordination and synergy at the regional level and with other multilateral environmental agreements Element D ‐ Reporting, monitoring and review 1. Monitoring the NAP process 2. Reviewing the NAP process to assess progress, effectiveness and gaps 3. Iteratively updating the national adaptation plans 4. Outreach on the NAP process and reporting on progress and effectiveness Source: LDC Expert Group, 2012. National adaptation plans: Technical guidelines for the national adaptation plan process. http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/publications/publication_ ldc_ nap_ techguidelines.pdf This framework can be applied at national level and sub‐national levels. As the examples reflected in Boxes 2 and 3 suggest, the general considerations on adaptation planning adopted by many cities around the world, in both developed and developing countries, are in line with the elements under the NAP process, as per the general framework described above.