The environment minister, Greg Hunt, says the federal government will establish its vision for improved urban tree coverage within 18 months.

Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Tuesday, he said the government would work directly with cities throughout 2016 and 2017 to set decade-by-decade goals for the creation of “urban canopies”.

The creation of tree cover, he said, would reduce heat within city environments and improve health outcomes.

“Our task is to establish those goals and increase them progressively over each of the decades,” Hunt said.

“That allows us to make progress to 2020, which we’re already doing through the 20 Million Trees program, the Green Army program and the National Land Care program.”

Palm trees tower alongside high-rise buildings in Brisbane. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

The Australian Conservation Foundation supports the government’s push for tree cover, saying that trees are the “natural air-conditioners” of cities.

“Despite Australians’ romanticisation of the outback, we are among the most urbanised populations on a planet where more people now live in cities than anywhere else,” ACF campaign director Paul Sinclair said in a statement.

Sinclair called on Hunt to develop a national strategy for cities that includes green spaces and efficient transport.

He also said Infrastructure Australia should be updated to take into account natural areas like forests, rivers and wetlands.