I won't comment on ESG stuff, but regarding the original point of credit score:

paying off a debt early to pay less interest hurts your credit score.
they still can’t get above an 800 credit score, simply because they pay off the loans quicker.

Exactly. It's about predictability. Paying as originally stated is what's ideal for these purposes.

entirely based on whether the debt was paid or not.

No. It's about predictability, not paying the debt itself.

I won't comment on ESG stuff, but regarding the original point of credit score:

paying off a debt early to pay less interest hurts your credit score. they still can’t get above an 800 credit score, simply because they pay off the loans quicker.

Exactly. It's about predictability. Paying as originally stated is what's ideal for these purposes.

entirely based on whether the debt was paid or not.

No. It's about predictability, not paying the debt itself.